SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5445

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

          Health & Long-Term Care, February 18, 1997

Title:  An act relating to making technical corrections to statutes administered by the department of health.

Brief Description:  Making technical corrections to statutes administered by the department of health.

Sponsors:  Senators Deccio, Wojahn, Wood, Fairley and Winsley.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Health & Long‑Term Care:  2/7/97, 2/18/97 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5445 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Deccio, Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Benton, Fairley, Franklin, Strannigan and Wojahn.

Staff:  Rhoda Jones (786-7198)

Background:  In 1994, an incorrect reference to the law regulating nursing assistants was made in the Uniform Disciplinary Act.  In 1995, through the passage of two separate bills, a section of law regarding protection of emergency medical service providers from liability was amended twice.  In 1996, double amendments were made to several sections of law pertaining to regulation of speech pathologists, audiologists and hearing instrument fitter/dispensers.  

These technical errors require correction. 

Summary of Substitute Bill:  Two sections of law dealing with liability protection for emergency medical service personnel are combined.  The double amendments are eliminated and the other errors mentioned above are corrected, including language specifically stating when hearing aid permits expire.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  Language stating that no individual may hold a hearing instrument permit for more than two years is replaced with language stating that these permits expire after one year except by permission from the board.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  These corrections fix mistakes and make clarifications in current code.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Ron Weaver, Department of Health (pro); Lisa Thatcher, Washington Hearing Aid Society (pro w/amendment).