HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1513

BYRepresentatives Braddock, Lewis, Bumgarner, Day and Dellwo

Providing for certification of dietitians and nutritionists.

House Committe on Health Care

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (9)

      Signed by Representatives Braddock, Chair; Bristow, Bumgarner, Cantwell, Lewis, Lux, D. Sommers, Sprenkle and Vekich.

House Staff:John Welsh (786-7133)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE FEBRUARY 4, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Currently, practice by dietitians and nutritionists of general nutrition services, involving the application of scientific principles of nutrition to achieve and maintain health, is not regulated by the state as a distinct and independent profession.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  Dietitians and nutritionists meeting the qualifications of the law may be certified by the Department of Licensing, and no person may otherwise represent themselves as "certified dietitians" or "certified nutritionists."

A person may be certified as a dietitian who is at least 18 years old; has received a baccalaureate degree in nutrition from an accredited college; has completed 900 hours of pre-professional experience or an undergraduate program in dietetics approved by the director of licensing; and passed an approved examination.

A person may be certified as a nutritionist who possesses the qualifications of a dietitian and who has received at least a master's degree in nutrition from an accredited college.

The processes of the Uniform Disciplinary Act for the regulated health professions govern the discipline of certified dietitians and nutritionists.

Dietitians and nutritionists credentialed in other states with equivalent standards may be certified without examination.

Certification and re-certification fees are established by the director pursuant to law.

An advisory committee of five members appointed by the director, is established.  Three members are dietitians and one member is a nutritionist possessing five years experience respectively; one member represents the public; and the members serve staggered four-year terms.  Members of the committee must meet at least annually, are immune from legal liability in the course of their duties, and are entitled to per diem reimbursement pursuant to law.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The title "certified dietitian" and "certified nutritionist" is restricted to those certified.  An appropriation of $70,178 is made.  Immunity from liability is restricted to civil actions.  The granting of third-party benefits is not necessarily to be construed.  Authority of the director is clarified.  Other housekeeping changes are made.

Appropriation:    $70,178 to the Department of Licensing from the health professions account fund.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 21, 1988.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Natalie Gonzalez, Washington State Dietetic Association; Dixie Nothwang.

House Committee - Testified Against:      Rob Matchett, National Nutritional Foods Association.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Dietitians and nutritionists should be recognized as a distinct health profession. The public should have a choice of highly qualified practitioners.  The public is protected from unprofessional conduct through the Uniform Disciplinary Act.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      Dietitians are attempting to get licensure and an exclusive franchise for practicing in this area.  They are after third-party insurance reimbursement.  They cannot exclusively use the title "(CN)" because it is registered as a title for students completing a nutrition education course.