FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5614

                              C 125 L 89

BYSenate Committee on Health Care & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators West, Johnson and Wojahn)

Monitoring a substance abuse program for dentists.

Senate Committee on Health Care & Corrections

House Committe on Health Care

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Current statutes (RCW 18.130.175) authorize the health professional disciplining authorities to refer license holders suspected of substance abuse to substance abuse monitoring programs in lieu of disciplinary action.  The disciplining authority approves eligible monitoring programs and establishes other requirements related to participation.  The cost of substance abuse treatment is the responsibility of the license holder.  The Medical Disciplinary Board is currently authorized to contract with a substance abuse monitoring program to refer its license holders and may assess a surcharge to license fees to support the program.

SUMMARY:

The Dental Disciplinary Board, the Veterinary Board of Governors and other health professionals are authorized to contract with a substance abuse monitoring program.  The program may include treatment, rehabilitation, post treatment monitoring, education, and preventive services.  The dental board is authorized to assess a surcharge of up to $15 on each license or renewal to support the program.  The veterinary board is authorized to assess a surcharge of up to $25 on each licensee or renewal to support the program.  Other participating health professions may have a surcharge assessed to their license fees to support the program.

Appropriation:  $310,560 from the health professions account to the Department of Licensing

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

     Senate   48    0

     House 94  0 (House amended)

     Senate   46    0 (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:April 20, 1989