1332-S

AN ACT Relating to acupuncture; and amending RCW 4.24.240, 4.24.290, 7.70.020, 18.06.010, 18.06.020, 18.06.045, 18.06.080, 18.06.090, 18.06.110, 18.06.120, 18.06.130, 18.06.140, 18.06.170, 18.06.190, 18.06.200, 18.120.020, and 18.130.040.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 4.24.240 and 1985 c 326 s 25 are each amended to read as follows:

(1)(a) A person licensed by this state to provide health care or related services, including, but not limited to, a ((~~certified~~)) licensed acupuncturist, a physician, osteopathic physician, dentist, nurse, optometrist, ((~~podiatrist~~)) podiatric physician and surgeon, chiropractor, physical therapist, psychologist, pharmacist, optician, physician's assistant, osteopathic physician's assistant, nurse practitioner, including, in the event such person is deceased, his or her estate or personal representative;

(b) An employee or agent of a person described in subparagraph (a) of this subsection, acting in the course and scope of his or her employment, including, in the event such employee or agent is deceased, his or her estate or personal representative; or

(c) An entity, whether or not incorporated, facility, or institution employing one or more persons described in subparagraph (a) of this subsection, including, but not limited to, a hospital, clinic, health maintenance organization, or nursing home; or an officer, director, trustee, employee, or agent thereof acting in the course and scope of his or her employment, including in the event such officer, director, employee, or agent is deceased, his or her estate or personal representative;

shall be immune from civil action for damages arising out of the good faith performance of their duties on such committees, where such actions are being brought by or on behalf of the person who is being evaluated.

(2) No member, employee, staff person, or investigator of a professional review committee shall be liable in a civil action as a result of acts or omissions made in good faith on behalf of the committee; nor shall any person be so liable for filing charges with or supplying information or testimony in good faith to any professional review committee; nor shall a member, employee, staff person, or investigator of a professional society, of a professional examining or licensing board, of a professional disciplinary board, of a governing board of any institution, or of any employer of professionals be so liable for good faith acts or omissions made in full or partial reliance on recommendations or decisions of a professional review committee or examining board.

Sec. 2. RCW 4.24.290 and 1985 c 326 s 26 are each amended to read as follows:

In any civil action for damages based on professional negligence against a hospital which is licensed by the state of Washington or against the personnel of any such hospital, or against a member of the healing arts including, but not limited to, an acupuncturist ((~~certified~~)) licensed under chapter 18.06 RCW, a physician licensed under chapter 18.71 RCW, an osteopathic physician licensed under chapter 18.57 RCW, a chiropractor licensed under chapter 18.25 RCW, a dentist licensed under chapter 18.32 RCW, a ((~~podiatrist~~)) podiatric physician and surgeon licensed under chapter 18.22 RCW, or a nurse licensed under chapters 18.78 or 18.88 RCW, the plaintiff in order to prevail shall be required to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant or defendants failed to exercise that degree of skill, care, and learning possessed at that time by other persons in the same profession, and that as a proximate result of such failure the plaintiff suffered damages, but in no event shall the provisions of this section apply to an action based on the failure to obtain the informed consent of a patient.

Sec. 3. RCW 7.70.020 and 1985 c 326 s 27 are each amended to read as follows:

As used in this chapter "health care provider" means either:

(1) A person licensed by this state to provide health care or related services, including, but not limited to, a ((~~certified~~)) licensed acupuncturist, a physician, osteopathic physician, dentist, nurse, optometrist, ((~~podiatrist~~)) podiatric physician and surgeon, chiropractor, physical therapist, psychologist, pharmacist, optician, physician's assistant, midwife, osteopathic physician's assistant, nurse practitioner, or physician's trained mobile intensive care paramedic, including, in the event such person is deceased, his or her estate or personal representative;

(2) An employee or agent of a person described in part (1) above, acting in the course and scope of his employment, including, in the event such employee or agent is deceased, his or her estate or personal representative; or

(3) An entity, whether or not incorporated, facility, or institution employing one or more persons described in part (1) above, including, but not limited to, a hospital, clinic, health maintenance organization, or nursing home; or an officer, director, employee, or agent thereof acting in the course and scope of his or her employment, including in the event such officer, director, employee, or agent is deceased, his or her estate or personal representative.

Sec. 4. RCW 18.06.010 and 1992 c 110 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

The following terms in this chapter shall have the meanings set forth in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) "Acupuncture" means a health care service based on ((~~a traditional~~)) an Oriental system of medical theory utilizing Oriental diagnosis and treatment to promote health and treat organic or functional disorders by treating specific acupuncture points or meridians. Acupuncture includes ((~~but is not necessarily limited to~~)) the following techniques:

(a) Use of acupuncture needles to stimulate acupuncture points and meridians;

(b) Use of electrical, mechanical, or magnetic devices to stimulate acupuncture points and meridians;

(d) Acupressure;

(e) Cupping;

(f) Dermal friction technique;

(g) Infra-red;

(h) Sonopuncture;

(i) Laserpuncture;

(j) ((~~Dietary advice based on traditional Oriental medical theory; and~~

~~(k)~~)) Point injection therapy (aquapuncture); and

(k) Dietary advice based on Oriental medical theory provided in conjunction with techniques under (a) through (j) of this subsection.

(2) "Acupuncturist" means a person ((~~certified~~)) licensed under this chapter.

(3) "Department" means the department of health.

(4) "Secretary" means the secretary of health or the secretary's designee.

Sec. 5. RCW 18.06.020 and 1991 c 3 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) No one may hold themselves out to the public as an acupuncturist or ((~~certified~~)) licensed acupuncturist or any derivative thereof which is intended to or is likely to lead the public to believe such a person is an acupuncturist or ((~~certified~~)) licensed acupuncturist unless ((~~certified~~)) licensed as provided for in this chapter.

(2) A person may not practice acupuncture if the person is not licensed under this chapter.

(3) No one may use any configuration of letters after their name (including Ac.) which indicates a degree or formal training in acupuncture unless ((~~certified~~)) licensed as provided for in this chapter.

((~~(3)~~)) (4) The secretary may by rule proscribe or regulate advertising and other forms of patient solicitation which are likely to mislead or deceive the public as to whether someone is ((~~certified~~)) licensed under this chapter.

Sec. 6. RCW 18.06.045 and 1992 c 110 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit or restrict:

(1) The practice ((~~[by an individual] licensed, certified, or registered~~)) by an individual credentialed under the laws of this state and performing services within such individual's authorized scope of practice. Health professions authorized to perform acupuncture under other chapters of state law may follow recommended guidelines developed by the acupuncture advisory committee to assist in determining the level of training sufficient to allow for the provision of safe acupuncture services;

(2) The practice by an individual employed by the government of the United States while engaged in the performance of duties prescribed by the laws of the United States;

(3) The practice by a person who is a regular student in an educational program approved by the secretary, and whose performance of services is pursuant to a regular course of instruction or assignments from an instructor and under the general supervision of the instructor;

(4) The practice of acupuncture by any person ((~~licensed or certified~~)) credentialed to perform acupuncture in any other jurisdiction where such person is doing so in the course of regular instruction of a school of acupuncture approved by the secretary or in an educational seminar by a professional organization of acupuncture, provided that in the latter case, the practice is supervised directly by a person ((~~certified pursuant to~~)) licensed under this chapter or licensed under any other healing art whose scope of practice includes acupuncture.

Sec. 7. RCW 18.06.080 and 1992 c 110 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The secretary is hereby authorized and empowered to execute the provisions of this chapter and shall offer examinations in acupuncture at least twice a year at such times and places as the secretary may select. The examination shall be a written examination and may include a practical examination.

(2) The secretary shall develop or approve a ((~~certification~~)) licensure examination in the subjects that the secretary determines are within the scope of and commensurate with the work performed by ((~~certified~~)) licensed acupuncturists and shall include but not necessarily be limited to anatomy, physiology, microbiology, biochemistry, pathology, hygiene, and acupuncture. All application papers shall be deposited with the secretary and there retained for at least one year, when they may be destroyed.

(3) If the examination is successfully passed, the secretary shall confer on such candidate the title of ((~~Certified~~)) Licensed Acupuncturist.

Sec. 8. RCW 18.06.090 and 1985 c 326 s 9 are each amended to read as follows:

Before ((~~certification~~)) licensure, each applicant shall demonstrate sufficient fluency in reading, speaking, and understanding the English language to enable the applicant to communicate with other health care providers and patients concerning health care problems and treatment.

Sec. 9. RCW 18.06.110 and 1991 c 3 s 11 are each amended to read as follows:

The uniform disciplinary act, chapter 18.130 RCW, governs uncertified practice, the issuance and denial of ((~~certificates~~)) licenses, and the disciplining of ((~~certificate~~)) license holders under this chapter. The secretary shall be the disciplining authority under this chapter.

Sec. 10. RCW 18.06.120 and 1992 c 110 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Every person ((~~certified~~)) licensed in acupuncture shall register with the secretary annually and pay an annual renewal ((~~registration~~)) fee determined by the secretary as provided in RCW 43.70.250 on or before the ((~~certificate~~)) license holder's birth anniversary date. The ((~~certificate~~)) license of the person shall be renewed for a period of one year or longer in the discretion of the secretary. A person whose practice is exclusively out-of-state or who is on sabbatical shall be granted an inactive ((~~certification~~)) licensure status and pay a reduced ((~~registration~~)) fee. The reduced fee shall be set by the secretary under RCW 43.70.250.

(2) Any failure to register and pay the annual renewal ((~~registration~~)) fee shall render the ((~~certificate~~)) license invalid. The ((~~certificate~~)) license shall be reinstated upon: (a) Written application to the secretary; (b) payment to the state of a penalty fee determined by the secretary as provided in RCW 43.70.250; and (c) payment to the state of all delinquent annual ((~~certificate~~)) license renewal fees.

(3) Any person who fails to renew his or her ((~~certification~~)) license for a period of three years shall not be entitled to renew ((~~such certification~~)) the licensure under this section. Such person, in order to obtain a ((~~certification~~)) licensure in acupuncture in this state, shall file a new application under this chapter, along with the required fee, and shall meet examination or continuing education requirements as the secretary, by rule, provides.

(4) All fees collected under this section and RCW 18.06.070 shall be credited to the health professions account as required under RCW 43.70.320.

Sec. 11. RCW 18.06.130 and 1991 c 3 s 13 are each amended to read as follows:

The secretary shall develop a form to be used by an acupuncturist to inform the patient of the acupuncturist's scope of practice and qualifications. All ((~~certificate~~)) license holders shall bring the form to the attention of the patients in whatever manner the secretary, by rule, provides.

Sec. 12. RCW 18.06.140 and 1991 c 3 s 14 are each amended to read as follows:

Every ((~~certified~~)) licensed acupuncturist shall develop a written plan for consultation, emergency transfer, and referral to other health care practitioners operating within the scope of their authorized practices. The written plan shall be submitted with the initial application for ((~~certification~~)) licensure as well as annually thereafter with the ((~~certificate~~)) license renewal fee to the department. The department may withhold ((~~certification~~)) licensure or renewal of ((~~certification~~)) licensure if the plan fails to meet the standards contained in rules ((~~promulgated~~)) adopted by the secretary.

When the acupuncturist sees patients with potentially serious disorders such as cardiac conditions, acute abdominal symptoms, and such other conditions, the acupuncturist shall immediately request a consultation or recent written diagnosis from a physician licensed under chapter 18.71 or 18.57 RCW. In the event that the patient with the disorder refuses to authorize such consultation or provide a recent diagnosis from such physician, acupuncture treatment shall not be continued.

Sec. 13. RCW 18.06.170 and 1991 c 3 s 16 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The acupuncture advisory committee is created. The committee shall be composed of one physician licensed under chapter 18.71 or 18.57 RCW, three acupuncturists ((~~certified~~)) licensed under this chapter, and ((~~one~~)) two public members, who ((~~does~~)) do not have any financial interest in the rendering of health services.

(2) The secretary shall appoint members to staggered terms so as to provide continuity in membership. Members shall serve at the pleasure of the secretary but may not serve more than five years total. Members of the committee shall be reimbursed for travel expenses as provided in RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.

(3) Each member of the committee shall receive fifty dollars for each day the member attends an official meeting of the group or performs statutorily prescribed duties approved by the secretary.

(4) The committee shall meet only on the request of the secretary and consider only those matters referred to it by the secretary. The committee is authorized to develop recommended guidelines to assist health professions authorized to perform acupuncture under other practice laws in determining the level of training sufficient to allow for the provision of safe acupuncture services.

Sec. 14. RCW 18.06.190 and 1991 c 3 s 18 are each amended to read as follows:

The secretary may ((~~certify~~)) license a person without examination if such person is ((~~licensed or certified~~)) credentialed as an acupuncturist in another jurisdiction if, in the secretary's judgment, the requirements of that jurisdiction are equivalent to or greater than those of Washington state.

Sec. 15. RCW 18.06.200 and 1985 c 326 s 20 are each amended to read as follows:

Nothing in this chapter may be construed to require that individual or group policies or contracts of an insurance carrier, health care service contractor, or health maintenance organization provide benefits or coverage for services and supplies provided by a person ((~~registered or certified~~)) licensed under this chapter.

Sec. 16. RCW 18.120.020 and 1989 c 300 s 14 are each amended to read as follows:

The definitions contained in this section shall apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(1) "Applicant group" includes any health professional group or organization, any individual, or any other interested party which proposes that any health professional group not presently regulated be regulated or which proposes to substantially increase the scope of practice of the profession.

(2) "Certificate" and "certification" mean a voluntary process by which a statutory regulatory entity grants recognition to an individual who (a) has met certain prerequisite qualifications specified by that regulatory entity, and (b) may assume or use "certified" in the title or designation to perform prescribed health professional tasks.

(3) "Grandfather clause" means a provision in a regulatory statute applicable to practitioners actively engaged in the regulated health profession prior to the effective date of the regulatory statute which exempts the practitioners from meeting the prerequisite qualifications set forth in the regulatory statute to perform prescribed occupational tasks.

(4) "Health professions" means and includes the following health and health-related licensed or regulated professions and occupations: ((~~Podiatry~~)) Podiatric medicine and surgery under chapter 18.22 RCW; chiropractic under chapters 18.25 and 18.26 RCW; dental hygiene under chapter 18.29 RCW; dentistry under chapter 18.32 RCW; dispensing opticians under chapter 18.34 RCW; hearing aids under chapter 18.35 RCW; naturopaths under chapter 18.36A RCW; embalming and funeral directing under chapter 18.39 RCW; midwifery under chapter 18.50 RCW; nursing home administration under chapter 18.52 RCW; optometry under chapters 18.53 and 18.54 RCW; ocularists under chapter 18.55 RCW; osteopathy and osteopathic medicine and surgery under chapters 18.57 and 18.57A RCW; pharmacy under chapters 18.64 and 18.64A RCW; medicine under chapters 18.71, 18.71A, and 18.72 RCW; emergency medicine under chapter 18.73 RCW; physical therapy under chapter 18.74 RCW; practical nurses under chapter 18.78 RCW; psychologists under chapter 18.83 RCW; registered nurses under chapter 18.88 RCW; occupational therapists licensed pursuant to chapter 18.59 RCW; respiratory care practitioners certified under chapter 18.89 RCW; veterinarians and animal technicians under chapter 18.92 RCW; health care assistants under chapter 18.135 RCW; massage practitioners under chapter 18.108 RCW; acupuncturists ((~~certified~~)) licensed under chapter 18.06 RCW; persons registered or certified under chapter 18.19 RCW; dietitians and nutritionists certified by chapter 18.138 RCW; radiologic technicians under chapter 18.84 RCW; and nursing assistants registered or certified under chapter 18.88A RCW.

(5) "Inspection" means the periodic examination of practitioners by a state agency in order to ascertain whether the practitioners' occupation is being carried out in a fashion consistent with the public health, safety, and welfare.

(6) "Legislative committees of reference" means the standing legislative committees designated by the respective rules committees of the senate and house of representatives to consider proposed legislation to regulate health professions not previously regulated.

(7) "License," "licensing," and "licensure" mean permission to engage in a health profession which would otherwise be unlawful in the state in the absence of the permission. A license is granted to those individuals who meet prerequisite qualifications to perform prescribed health professional tasks and for the use of a particular title.

(8) "Professional license" means an individual, nontransferable authorization to carry on a health activity based on qualifications which include: (a) Graduation from an accredited or approved program, and (b) acceptable performance on a qualifying examination or series of examinations.

(9) "Practitioner" means an individual who (a) has achieved knowledge and skill by practice, and (b) is actively engaged in a specified health profession.

(10) "Public member" means an individual who is not, and never was, a member of the health profession being regulated or the spouse of a member, or an individual who does not have and never has had a material financial interest in either the rendering of the health professional service being regulated or an activity directly related to the profession being regulated.

(11) "Registration" means the formal notification which, prior to rendering services, a practitioner shall submit to a state agency setting forth the name and address of the practitioner; the location, nature and operation of the health activity to be practiced; and, if required by the regulatory entity, a description of the service to be provided.

(12) "Regulatory entity" means any board, commission, agency, division, or other unit or subunit of state government which regulates one or more professions, occupations, industries, businesses, or other endeavors in this state.

(13) "State agency" includes every state office, department, board, commission, regulatory entity, and agency of the state, and, where provided by law, programs and activities involving less than the full responsibility of a state agency.

Sec. 17. RCW 18.130.040 and 1993 c 367 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) This chapter applies only to the secretary and the boards having jurisdiction in relation to the professions licensed under the chapters specified in this section. This chapter does not apply to any business or profession not licensed under the chapters specified in this section.

(2)(a) The secretary has authority under this chapter in relation to the following professions:

(i) Dispensing opticians licensed under chapter 18.34 RCW;

(ii) Naturopaths licensed under chapter 18.36A RCW;

(iii) Midwives licensed under chapter 18.50 RCW;

(iv) Ocularists licensed under chapter 18.55 RCW;

(v) Massage operators and businesses licensed under chapter 18.108 RCW;

(vi) Dental hygienists licensed under chapter 18.29 RCW;

(vii) Acupuncturists ((~~certified~~)) licensed under chapter 18.06 RCW;

(viii) Radiologic technologists certified under chapter 18.84 RCW;

(ix) Respiratory care practitioners certified under chapter 18.89 RCW;

(x) Persons registered or certified under chapter 18.19 RCW;

(xi) Persons registered as nursing pool operators;

(xii) Nursing assistants registered or certified under chapter 18.88A RCW;

(xiii) Health care assistants certified under chapter 18.135 RCW;

(xiv) Dietitians and nutritionists certified under chapter 18.138 RCW;

(xv) Sex offender treatment providers certified under chapter 18.155 RCW; and

(xvi) Persons licensed and certified under chapter 18.73 RCW or RCW 18.71.205.

(b) The boards having authority under this chapter are as follows:

(i) The podiatric medical board as established in chapter 18.22 RCW;

(ii) The chiropractic disciplinary board as established in chapter 18.26 RCW governing licenses issued under chapter 18.25 RCW;

(iii) The dental disciplinary board as established in chapter 18.32 RCW;

(iv) The ((~~council on~~)) board on fitting and dispensing of hearing aids as established in chapter 18.35 RCW;

(v) The board of funeral directors and embalmers as established in chapter 18.39 RCW;

(vi) The board of examiners for nursing home administrators as established in chapter 18.52 RCW;

(vii) The optometry board as established in chapter 18.54 RCW governing licenses issued under chapter 18.53 RCW;

(viii) The board of osteopathic medicine and surgery as established in chapter 18.57 RCW governing licenses issued under chapters 18.57 and 18.57A RCW;

(ix) The board of pharmacy as established in chapter 18.64 RCW governing licenses issued under chapters 18.64 and 18.64A RCW;

(x) The medical disciplinary board as established in chapter 18.72 RCW governing licenses and registrations issued under chapters 18.71 and 18.71A RCW;

(xi) The board of physical therapy as established in chapter 18.74 RCW;

(xii) The board of occupational therapy practice as established in chapter 18.59 RCW;

(xiii) The board of practical nursing as established in chapter 18.78 RCW;

(xiv) The examining board of psychology and its disciplinary committee as established in chapter 18.83 RCW;

(xv) The board of nursing as established in chapter 18.88 RCW; and

(xvi) The veterinary board of governors as established in chapter 18.92 RCW.

(3) In addition to the authority to discipline license holders, the disciplining authority has the authority to grant or deny licenses based on the conditions and criteria established in this chapter and the chapters specified in subsection (2) of this section. However, the board of chiropractic examiners has authority over issuance and denial of licenses provided for in chapter 18.25 RCW, the board of dental examiners has authority over issuance and denial of licenses provided for in RCW 18.32.040, and the board of medical examiners has authority over issuance and denial of licenses and registrations provided for in chapters 18.71 and 18.71A RCW. This chapter also governs any investigation, hearing, or proceeding relating to denial of licensure or issuance of a license conditioned on the applicant's compliance with an order entered pursuant to RCW 18.130.160 by the disciplining authority.