HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 6143

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.

As Reported by House Committee On:

Health Care & Wellness

Title: An act relating to the podiatric medical board.

Brief Description: Concerning the podiatric medical board.

Sponsors: Senators Cleveland, Rivers and Becker.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Health Care & Wellness: 2/20/20, 2/21/20 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Adds two members to the Podiatric Medical Board.

  • Designates the Podiatric Medical Board as a class five group for purposes of compensation.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 14 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Macri, Vice Chair; Schmick, Ranking Minority Member; Chambers, Chopp, Davis, DeBolt, Harris, Maycumber, Riccelli, Robinson, Stonier, Thai and Tharinger.

Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191).

Background:

The Podiatric Medical Board.

A podiatric physician and surgeon is a licensed health professional who diagnoses and treats ailments of the human foot. The disciplining authority for podiatric physicians and surgeons is the Podiatric Medical Board, which consists of the following five members appointed by the Governor:

Compensation of Part-Time Board Members.

Members of part-time boards and commissions may receive compensation for their work. The amount of compensation depends on which class the board or commission is in. For example, boards that provide licensing functions for a profession are designated as class three, which means their members are compensated $50 per day. Commissions that regulate health professions are designated as class five, which means their members are compensated $250 per day.

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Summary of Bill:

One consumer member and one podiatric physician and surgeon member are added to the Podiatric Medical Board (Board). The consumer members of the Board are prohibited from having a fiduciary relationship to a health care delivery system.

The Board is designated a class five group for purposes of compensation.

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This is the best bill of the session. It literally adds two people to the Board of Podiatric Medicine (Board). This is a small profession, which makes having a quorum of members for Board meetings difficult. This bill also raises the Board's per diem from $50 to $250. The costs of this bill are borne by licensing fees.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Melanie Stewart, Washington State Podiatric Medical Association.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.