SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5601
As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Health & Long‑Term Care, February 14, 2001
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: Senators Thibaudeau, Deccio, Franklin, Winsley, Costa, Fraser and Kohl‑Welles.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Health & Long‑Term Care: 2/8/01, 2/14/01 [DPS].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG‑TERM CARE
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5601 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Thibaudeau, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Costa, Deccio, Fraser, Parlette and Winsley.
Staff: Joan K. Mell (786‑7447)
Background: Medical doctors are licensed in this state through the Department of Health and the Medical Quality Assurance Commission. The commission is authorized by statute to issue a limited license to persons who possess certain specified qualifications. One of the specified qualifications requires nomination by the dean of the School of Medicine at the University of Washington for a nominee to serve as a teaching-research member of the institution=s instructional staff if the sponsoring institution and the applicant give evidence that he or she has graduated from a recognized medical school and has been licensed or otherwise privileged to practice medicine at his or her location of origin. A limited license to practice may be granted, but for no more than two years.
Recruitment of specialized practitioners has been difficult, and the two-year limitation has been a barrier to finding qualified professionals.
Summary of Substitute Bill: The two-year limitation on a limited license to practice is eliminated.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: An emergency clause is added.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.
Testimony For: Shortages regarding available specialists, particularly in the field of anesthesiology, require flexibility and opportunities to encourage practitioners to come to this state.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: PRO: Jackie Der, Dr. Frederick Cheney, UW; Loretta Wasse, VA.