SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1848

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Commerce & Trade, March 20, 2003

Title: An act relating to exempting certain medical devices from electrical licensing requirements.

Brief Description: Exempting the installation, maintenance, and repair of certain medical devices from electrician licensing requirements.

Sponsors: House Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Conway and Chandler).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Commerce & Trade: 3/20/03 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & TRADE

Majority Report: Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Honeyford, Chair; Hewitt, Vice Chair; Franklin and Keiser.

Staff: Elizabeth Mitchell (786-7430)

Background: The Department of Labor and Industries regulates work on electrical equipment. Current law provides that medical devices approved for use by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are considered to be "in compliance" with electrical laws. Current department policy exempts FDA-approved medical devices from licensing, certification, permitting and inspections.

Summary of Bill: FDA-approved medical devices are exempt from electrical licensing, certification, permitting and inspections.

The exemption does not include work providing electrical feeds into the power distribution unit or installation of conduits and raceways. The work must be performed by factory engineers or third-party service companies who are qualified to perform the work.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: We are in support of the bill. Some people who currently install these devices work for temporary services agencies. This bill may result in stricter standards than the ones that currently exist. Concerns: We are interested in the safety of employees. This language is probably as good as we can get at this point.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Richard King, IBEW L 46 et al (pro); Robb Menaul, Washington State Hospital Assn. (pro); Jan Gee, GE Medical Systems (pro); Larry Stevens, National Elect. Contractors Assn. (concerns).