HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1094

As Reported by House Committee On:

Health Care

Title:  An act relating to the surrender of a health care professional's license.

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

Sponsors:  Representatives Skinner, Schual‑Berke, Cody, Campbell, Conway, Ruderman, Dunshee, Alexander, Edmonds, Kenney, Edwards and Kagi.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Health Care:  1/23/01, 1/25/01 [DPS].

  Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

$Includes the surrender of a health practitioner=s license to practice in lieu of other sanctions specified under the Uniform Disciplinary Act.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Campbell, Republican Co‑Chair; Cody, Democratic Co‑Chair; Schual‑Berke, Democratic Vice Chair; Skinner, Republican Vice Chair; Alexander, Ballasiotes, Conway, Edmonds, Marine, McMorris and Ruderman.

Staff:  John Welsh (786‑7133).

Background:

The Uniform Disciplinary Act provides procedures and sanctions for unprofessional conduct committed by health professionals regulated by the Department of Health.  Sanctions include revocation or suspension of a license to practice, restriction of practice, censure or reprimand, probation, fines, corrective action, and refund of client fees.

The voluntary surrender by a practitioner of a license, certificate, or registration to practice is not included as sanction.

Summary of  Substitute Bill:

The surrender of a practitioner=s license to practice is included in the list of sanctions to be considered by professional disciplinary authorities in lieu of other sanctions provided under the Uniform Disciplinary Act.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

A technical amendment was adopted according the new language in the statutory definition of licensing, which includes references to certification and registration, as well as licensing.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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

Testimony For: Practitioners electing to retire from practice and surrender their license should be allowed to as an alternative to applying harsher sanctions.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  (Support) Carl Nelson, Washington State Medical Association.