WA State Health Department
Considering Legislative Proposal
The Department of Health is considering a legislative proposal to enhance the capacity of certain health profession boards and commissions. This proposal takes a similar proposal from 2020, that did not go to the legislature, and expands it. The proposal modifies board and commission statutes in order to achieve consistency, allow for more diversity, and increase effectiveness by:
- expanding the size of membership and number of public members;
- removing membership restrictions, such as congressional district or specialty requirements;
- increasing compensation so all boards and commissions are reimbursed at a Class 5 rate ($250 a day);
- removing specific quorum requirements for disciplinary actions and aligning term requirements; and
- removing U.S. citizenship requirements for appointment.
Specifically, the proposal:
- Modifies membership and quorum requirements for the following:
- Dental Quality Assurance Commission
- State Board of Physical Therapy
- Washington State Board of Massage
- Board of Nursing Home Administrators
- Washington Veterinary Board of Governors
- Authorizes the Pharmacy Commission to use the same regulatory delegation for pharmacy facilities enforcement that it currently does for pharmacists.
- Modifies compensation to Class 5 under Chapter 43.03 RCW for the following:
- Board of Denturists
- Washington State Board of Massage
- Board of Naturopathy
- Board of Nursing Home Administrators
- Board of Occupational Therapy Practice
- Board of Optometry
- Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission
- State Board of Physical Therapy
- Examining Board of Psychology
- Board of Hearing and Speech
- Washington Veterinary Board of Governors
- Removes US citizenship as a prerequisite to serve on boards, commissions, or committees for the following:
- Chiropractic Care Quality Assurance Commission
- Dental Quality Assurance Commission
- Washington Medical Commission
- Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission
- Board of Nursing Home Administrators
- Board of Optometry
- Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery
- Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission
- Orthotic and Prosthetic Advisory Committee
- Examining Board of Psychology
- Washington Veterinary Board of Governors
Below is the draft bill language and a Fact Sheet with more information on the proposal. We would welcome your feedback on this proposal by September 8. If you prefer to meet with us share questions or concerns, please contact Kris Reichl at Kristin.reichl@doh.wa.gov, or Blake Maresh at blake.maresh@doh.wa.gov to schedule some time.
Our next steps will be to send the proposal to the Governor’s office in mid-September for review and approval.
We appreciate you time and input on this proposal.
BLAKE MARESH, MPA, CMBE
Deputy Director, Office of Health Professions
Health Systems Quality Assurance
Washington State Department of Health
360-888-5080
