HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1216

                    As Passed Legislature

Title:  An act relating to removing the termination of the secretary's authority for administrative procedures.

Brief Description:  Removing the termination of the secretary of health's authority for administrative procedure.

Sponsors:  Representatives Parlette and Cody; by request of Department of Health.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Health Care:  1/29/99, 2/12/99 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  3/4/99, 95-0.

Passed Senate:  4/6/99, 43-0.

Passed Legislature.

                 Brief Summary of Bill

$Repeals the expiration date of the authority of the Secretary of Health to establish uniform administrative procedures affecting the regulated health professions.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 12 members:  Representatives Cody, Democratic Co-Chair; Parlette, Republican Co-Chair; Pflug, Republican Vice Chair; Schual-Berke, Democratic Vice Chair; Alexander; Boldt; Campbell; Conway; Edmonds; Edwards; Mulliken and Ruderman.

Staff:  John Welsh (786-7133).

Background:

In 1998, the Legislature authorized the Secretary of Health, in consultation with the health profession regulatory boards and commissions, to consolidate in one process the administrative procedures and requirements for the regulation of the health care professions.  A uniform administrative process was created by rule that includes the issuance and renewal of credentials to practice, auditing continuing education requirements, and reissuing expired credentials.

After March 1, 1999, this rule-making authority of the Secretary of Health expires, and is transferred to the various boards or commissions.  Rules previously adopted by the Secretary establishing the uniform administrative procedures and requirements do not remain in effect after March 1, 1999.

The department currently issues credentials for 220,000 health professionals and regulates 53 health care professions.

Summary of Bill:

The expiration of the authority of the Secretary of Health to establish uniform procedures and requirements for the credentialing of the regulated health professions is repealed.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Through a collaborative process with the health professions, a single, uniform administrative process was created.  If uniform rules ceased to exist, it would result in needless complexity, confusion, and increased costs and fees among the 53 regulated health care professions.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Pat Brown, Department of Health.