Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Business & Financial Services Committee

HB 2524

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Concerning military spouses or registered domestic partners occupational licensing status during deployment or placement outside Washington state.

Sponsors: Representatives Orwall, Bailey, Hudgins, Hurst, Kenney and Kelley; by request of Department of Veterans Affairs.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Allows the spouse or registered domestic partner of a service member to place a license regulated by the Department of Health or Department of Licensing on inactive status when the service member is deployed or stationed outside of the state.

Hearing Date: 1/24/12

Staff: Jon Hedegard (786-7127).

Background:

The Department of Health (DOH) and various boards and commissions regulate a variety of health professions. Each profession is subject to its own unique credentialing standards including requirements regarding education, examinations, and clinical training. The DOH licensees include:

The Department of Licensing (DOL) regulates a broad array of businesses and professions. A business or profession may be regulated directly by the DOL or under a board or commission or other authority that may have sole or shared jurisdiction with the DOL. Each regulated business and profession has a separate set of laws. Licensees of the DOL include:

Both the DOL and the DOH have provisions in law that put a moratorium on the expiration of a valid license beginning at the time the licensee entered service in the armed forces or the merchant marine of the United States and continues until the service is ended. The DOL and the DOH must renew the license of every such person who applies for renewal of a license within six months after being honorably discharged from service upon payment of the current renewal fee.

Summary of Bill:

Service in the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps is added to the service that qualifies for a moratorium on the expiration of a license for DOH and DOL licensees.

License moratoriums parallel to the moratoriums for service members are created for the spouse or registered domestic partner of a service member while the service member is deployed or stationed outside of the state. The licensed spouse or registered domestic partner status may have their license placed on inactive status until the service is ended.

The DOH must return the license of the spouse or registered domestic partner of a service member to active status if the spouse or registered domestic partner:

The Secretary of the DOH may adopt rules to implement this act for DOH licensees.

The DOL must return the license of the spouse or registered domestic partner of a service member to active status if the spouse or registered domestic partner;

The Director of the DOL and the various boards and commissions may adopt rules to implement this act for DOL licensees.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 23, 2012.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.