SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1655

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Health & Long-Term Care, April 2, 2003

Title: An act relating to determination of disability for special parking privileges by advanced registered nurse practitioners.

Brief Description: Providing for determination of disability for special parking privileges by advanced registered nurse practitioners.

Sponsors: House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Clibborn, Ericksen, Murray, Cooper, Morrell, Simpson, Armstrong, Rockefeller, Jarrett, Schindler, Mielke, Anderson, Wallace, Nixon, Shabro and Schual-Berke).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 3/25/03, 4/2/03 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report: Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Deccio, Chair; Winsley, Vice Chair; Brandland, Franklin, Keiser, Parlette and Thibaudeau.

Staff: Tanya Karwaki (786-7447)

Background: Currently, special parking privileges are granted to any person with a disability that limits the ability to walk and who meets other statutory criteria as determined by a licensed physician. The Department of Licensing allows chiropractors, naturopaths, physicians, podiatrists, and advanced registered nurse practitioners to determine those persons who qualify for special parking permits.

There is concern that current practice is not reflected in statute.

Summary of Bill: Advanced registered nurse practitioners are authorized to determine whether a patient qualifies for special parking privileges.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: This bill clarifies that ARNPs can continue to determine whether a patient qualifies for special parking privileges. It permits a patient that is unable to access a physician to get a permit from an ARNP.

Testimony Against: An amendment is needed to clarify that any licensed health care provider acting within his or her scope of practice may authorize special parking privileges.

Testified: PRO: Skip Dreps, Northwest Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America; Cherie Tessier, ARC of Washington; Jerry Parley, Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners of Washington; CON: Carl Nelson, WCMA.