ANALYSIS OF HOUSE BILL 1862

     Allowing a health care professional to surrender his or her license to practice.

Health Care Committee                         February 25, 1999

Washington State House of Representatives

SPONSORS:  Representatives Conway and Cody.

BACKGROUND:  The Uniform Disciplinary Act governs the administrative and adjudicative procedures and sanctions for unprofessional conduct relating to the regulated health professions.  The disciplining authorities include the Secretary of Health as well as the health professions boards and commissions with regulatory authority.

Sanctions for unprofessional conduct include license revocation, suspension, restriction, remedial education or treatment, monitoring of a practice, censure, probation, fine, denial, corrective action, and refund of fees.

Surrender of a license is not included as a sanction.  However it may result from a stipulated informal disposition of a case, after an investigation and statement of allegations.  In such a settlement, there are no findings with regard to the allegation and the matter is not reportable. 

SUMMARY:  The surrender of a practitioner=s license, certification or registration constitutes a sanction for unprofessional conduct.