HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2315
As Reported by House Committee On:
Health Care
Appropriations
Title: An act relating to recreation therapy.
Brief Description: Providing for the registration of recreational therapists.
Sponsors: Representatives Cody, McDermott, Kenney and Tokuda.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Health Care: 1/17/02, 1/25/02 [DPS];
Appropriations: 2/4/02, 2/6/02 [DPS(HC)].
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Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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$Establishes a registration program for recreation therapists under the Secretary of the Department of Health.
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the 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:
The services and activities of recreation therapy are not regulated by the state as a health profession. Recreation therapists provide the use of recreational and/or community counseling and community integration as treatment intervention to improve the functioning of persons with disabilities.
Summary of Substitute Bill:
A registration program for recreation therapy is established under the secretary of health. Persons who practice or represent themselves as a registered recreation therapist must register with the Department of Health.
A recreation therapist performs recreational and/or community activities to include leisure counseling and community integration as treatment intervention to improve functional leisure and community competence of persons with physical, cognitive, emotional, behavioral, or social disabilities.
The secretary is authorized to adopt rules implementing the registration program, establish registration fees, and procedures necessary to administer the program. The secretary must issue a registration to an applicant who complies with the requirements of the chapter.
The secretary is the disciplinary authority under the Uniform Discipline Act governing the issuance and denial of registration, unauthorized practice, and the discipline of persons registered under this act for unprofessional conduct.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:
A definition of recreational therapy is revised. The requirement of being certified by a recognized professional association is stricken. An effective date of July 1, 2003, is added. A technical amendment is added.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not Requested.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect on July 1, 2003.
Testimony For: Federal law requires recreational therapists to be subject to a disciplinary process in order to work directly with patients who are clients of federal medical programs.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: Kristine Kvitle and Carrie Booker, Washington State Therapeutic Recreation Association; Terry Raub; and Jodi McKenzie.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Majority Report: The substitute bill by Committee on Health Care be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 24 members: Representatives Sommers, Chair; Doumit, 1st Vice Chair; Fromhold, 2nd Vice Chair; Sehlin, Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Buck, Clements, Cody, Cox, Dunshee, Grant, Kagi, Kenney, Kessler, Linville, Lisk, Mastin, McIntire, Pearson, Pflug, Ruderman, Schual‑Berke, Talcott and Tokuda.
Staff: Amy Hanson (786‑7118).
Summary of Recommendation of Committee On Appropriations Compared to Recommendation of Committee On Health Care:
No new changes were recommended.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not Requested.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect on July 1, 2003.
Testimony For: None.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: None.