FINAL BILL REPORT

                 ESHB 1500

                     Synopsis as Enacted

                         C 313 L 93

Brief Description:  Modifying hearing aid regulatory authority.

By House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives R. Johnson, Dyer, L. Johnson and Mastin).

House Committee on Health Care

Senate Committee on Health & Human Services

Background:  The Council on Hearing Aids examines applicants for licensure as hearing aid fitters and dispensers, and disciplines license holders for unprofessional conduct.  The membership of the council consists of nine persons appointed by the governor:  five are licensed hearing aid fitters-dispensers, including one physician, one nondispensing audiologist, and two persons representing the public.  By law, the secretary of the Department of Health or designee is a nonvoting member of all boards.

License holders must file with the department a $10,000 surety bond or cash deposit or negotiable security running to the state for the benefit of any person injured or damaged by a violation of licensing laws for hearing aid fitters and dispensers.

There is no authority for license holders to place their licenses on inactive status.

Summary:  The name of the council is changed to Board on Fitting and Dispensing of Hearing Aids.  Its membership is reduced to seven persons:  two are licensed hearing aid fitters-dispensers without masters degrees in audiology; two are licensed, have experience fitting hearing aids and have a masters degree; one is a medical or osteopathic physician who is an advisory nonvoting member; and two persons representing the public.  In the event of a tie, the chair abstains from voting.

The bond number of the license holder must be printed on the invoice for the purchase of a hearing aid.

License holders may place their licenses on inactive status upon the payment of specified fees, in accordance with conditions in rules adopted by the board.  For reinstatement, license holders not practicing for five years must retake the practical examination and take continuing education requirements within the previous 12 months. Licenseholders on inactive status from two to five years must also take these continuing education requirements. License holders on inactive status but holding licenses from other states must attest to their knowledge of the current state practice law.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  98 0

Senate 46 0 (Senate amended)

House  97 0 (House concurred)

Effective:  July 25, 1993