HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1328
As Reported by House Committee On:
Health Care
Title: An act relating to requiring registration of a school health aide.
Brief Description: Requiring the registration of certain school health personnel.
Sponsors: Representatives Cody, Campbell, Conway, Schual‑Berke, Talcott, Keiser, Santos, Edwards, Kenney, Veloria, Lovick and Edmonds.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Health Care: 1/25/02, 2/7/02 [DP2S].
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Brief Summary of Second Substitute Bill |
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$Establishes a registration program for school health assistants providing nursing tasks delegated by school nurses to students.
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE
Majority Report: The second substitute bill be substituted therefor and the second substitute bill do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Schual‑Berke, Vice Chair; Campbell, Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Ballasiotes, Benson, Conway, Darneille, Edwards, Ruderman and Skinner.
Staff: John Welsh (786‑7133).
Background:
Registered nurses may delegate to school health personnel certain limited health care tasks provided to students in schools if they comply with supervision requirements. These health care tasks are specified by law and include the administration of oral medication and clean intermittent catheterization. A report on school health services published by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee found that school health personnel are also performing more complex duties, such as injections, central venous line care, replacing nasogastric tubes, and tracheal suctioning, which by law only nurses and other licensed health professionals may provide.
The Sunrise Review report by the Department of Health identified potential risks of harm in the delivery of health care tasks in schools as more students are requiring health services in school settings, compounded by a marked increase in the number of children with physical, emotional, or psychological challenges.
There is no monitoring mechanism or regulatory oversight provided by the Department of Health over school health personnel providing health care tasks to students in school settings.
Summary of Second Substitute Bill:
There is a declaration of legislative intent that the registration of school health aides or assistants for serving the health needs of students in the state=s school districts is necessary to counter the diminishing supply of school nurses. In addition, the current practice of delegating nursing tasks to unlicensed and untrained school personnel, such as teachers, teacher=s assistants, and secretarial staff, is compromising the health of students and exposes school districts to legal liability. Removing health barriers to learning by recognizing established nursing practice standards in the state school districts is essential to the successful education of students.
A school health assistant is a person who performs health care tasks overseen by a registered nurse. Nursing tasks delegated to school health assistants include those nursing procedures applicable to school districts provided by law.
School health assistants are required to register with the Department of Health, and no school district employees may practice or represent themselves as school health aides without being registered. No person may be coerced into registering as a school health assistant.
Registration of school health aides does not affect the practice of health care by other regulated health professionals, nor federal employees, nor students in approved educational programs.
The Secretary of Health is given authority to implement this act, including rule making authority, and the setting of registration fees to fund the program.
The Uniform Disciplinary Act for the regulated health professions provides procedures and sanctions for unprofessional conduct, and the secretary is the disciplining authority.
Second Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:
An effective date of July 1, 2004, is added. School health assistants work under the oversight of registered nurses.
Technical changes were made.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date of Second Substitute Bill: The bill contains several effective dates. Please refer to the bill.
Testimony For: The provision of school health services needs to be professionalized with accountability. Registration under the Department of Health with a disciplinary process raises school health assistants to a health profession and improves the quality of services.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: (Support) Patty Hayes, Department of Health; Doug Nelson and Lynn Finnie, Public School Employees; Greg Williamson, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; Marilyn Fenn, School Nurses Organization of Washington; and Mary Myers.
(Concerns) Wendy Rader-Konofalski, WFT.