"NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 18.130 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) As used in this section, "emergency or disaster" has the same meaning as in RCW 38.52.010.
     (2) The secretary shall issue a retired volunteer medical worker license to any applicant who:
     (a) Has held an active license issued by a disciplining authority under RCW 18.130.040 which became inactive or expired no more than ten years prior to applying for an initial license under this section;
     (b) Does not have any current restrictions on the ability to obtain a license for violations of this chapter;
     (c) Submits proof of registration as a volunteer with a local organization for emergency services or management as defined by chapter 38.52 RCW or local public health jurisdiction program to coordinate responses to an emergency or disaster.
     (3) License holders under this section must be supervised and may practice only those duties which correspond to the scope of their emergency worker assignment not to exceed their scope of practice prior to retirement.
     (4) The department shall adopt rules and policies to implement this section.
     (5) The department shall establish standards for the renewal of licenses issued under this section, including continuing competency requirements.
     (6) License holders under this section are subject to the provisions of this chapter as they may apply to the issuance and denial of credentials, unauthorized practice, and discipline for acts of unprofessional conduct.
     (7) Nothing in this section precludes a health care professional who holds an active license to provide medical services during an emergency or disaster.
     (8) The cost of regulatory activities for license holders under this section must be borne in equal proportion by all health care providers holding a license issued by a disciplining authority under RCW 18.130.040.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 4.24 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) A person who holds a retired volunteer medical worker license issued under section 1 of this act who provides assistance during an emergency or disaster, as defined in RCW 38.52.010, while at the scene, an alternative care site, a hospital site, en route to such a site, or while participating in an approved training or exercise for an emergency or disaster, without compensation or the expectation of compensation and within the scope of their assigned duties and under the direction of the local organization with which he or she has been registered, shall not be liable for civil damages resulting from any act or omission in the rendering of such assistance or in transporting such persons, other than acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.
     (2) The local organization for emergency services or management or local public health jurisdiction that registers a person as a volunteer under section 1 of this act shall defend and hold harmless licensed volunteer medical workers for any act or omission committed or omitted in the good faith performance of their duties.

Sec. 3   RCW 43.70.110 and 1993 sp.s. c 24 s 918 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The secretary shall charge fees to the licensee for obtaining a license. After June 30, 1995, municipal corporations providing emergency medical care and transportation services pursuant to chapter 18.73 RCW shall be exempt from such fees, provided that such other emergency services shall only be charged for their pro rata share of the cost of licensure and inspection, if appropriate. The secretary may waive the fees when, in the discretion of the secretary, the fees would not be in the best interest of public health and safety, or when the fees would be to the financial disadvantage of the state.
     (2) Except for the cost of regulating retired volunteer medical workers in accordance with section 1 of this act, fees charged shall be based on, but shall not exceed, the cost to the department for the licensure of the activity or class of activities and may include costs of necessary inspection.
     (3) Department of health advisory committees may review fees established by the secretary for licenses and comment upon the appropriateness of the level of such fees.

Sec. 4   RCW 43.70.250 and 1996 c 191 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     It shall be the policy of the state of Washington that the cost of each professional, occupational, or business licensing program be fully borne by the members of that profession, occupation, or business. The secretary shall from time to time establish the amount of all application fees, license fees, registration fees, examination fees, permit fees, renewal fees, and any other fee associated with licensing or regulation of professions, occupations, or businesses administered by the department. In fixing said fees, the secretary shall set the fees for each program at a sufficient level to defray the costs of administering that program and the cost of regulating licensed volunteer medical workers in accordance with section 1 of this act. All such fees shall be fixed by rule adopted by the secretary in accordance with the provisions of the administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05 RCW."