HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5601

As Reported by House Committee On:

Health Care

Title:  An act relating to a limited license to practice medicine.

Brief Description:  Removing the two‑year limited license renewal limit on teaching‑research medical professionals.

Sponsors:  By Senate Committee on Health & Long‑Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Thibaudeau, Deccio, Franklin, Winsley, Costa, Fraser and Kohl‑Welles).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Health Care:  3/22/01, 3/23/01 [DP].

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

$Repeals the two-year limitation on the duration of a limited license to practice medicine issued to teaching-research staff at the UW School of Medicine.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 13 members: Representatives Campbell, Republican Co‑Chair; Cody, Democratic Co‑Chair; Schual‑Berke, Democratic Vice Chair; Skinner, Republican Vice Chair; Alexander, Ballasiotes, Darneille, Edmonds, Edwards, Marine, McMorris, Pennington and Ruderman.

Staff:  John Welsh (786‑7133).

Background:

The state Medical Quality Assurance Commission is authorized by law to issue a limited license to practice medicine to a person who is invited to serve as a teaching-research member of the staff at the University of Washington School of Medicine.  The person may only practice within the confines of the instructional program.  A limited license is renewable annually, but its maximum duration is limited to two years.

Summary of  Bill:

A limited license to practice medicine issued to a teaching-research member of the School of Medicine=s instructional staff is renewable annually.  The two-year maximum limit on the duration of a limited license is repealed.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  This bill is requested by the University of Washington School of Medicine.  It facilitates the recruitment of non-resident physicians for filling faculty positions by assuring them longer tenure.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Thibaudeau, prime sponsor; and Jackie Der, University of Washington.