issue area reports | health care person , and — if the certificate has been expired for more than one year — they submitted to a state and federal background check . This was a lost opportunity – the bill passed the House 97-0 but did not come up for a vote in the Senate .
SSB 5900 creating a provisional paramedic or emergency medical technician license
Failed / AWB Supported
Sponsored by Sen . Kevin Van De Wege , D-Sequim , SSB 5900 would have provided a provisional emergency services provider certification for paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians ( EMTs ) in the state of Washington . To be eligible for a provisional emergency services provider certification in Washington state an applicant must : be currently licensed or certified in another state and be in good standing with the emergency medical services ( EMS ) board of that state or hold a current EMS provider certification from a national certifying agency approved by the Department of Health ; be employed or have a valid employment offer from a Washington EMS agency ; and be approved for provisional status from the medical program director of the county in which the applicant is or will be employed . This was a lost opportunity . The bill passed the Senate 47-0 but did not come up for a vote in the House .
SHB 1043 concerning the audiology and speech-language pathology interstate compact
Failed / AWB Supported
Sponsored by Rep . Mari Leavitt , D-University Place , the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact would have provided an
Sen . Ron Muzzall , R-Whidbey Island , is the ranking minority member of the Senate Health & Long- Term Care Committee .
audiologist or speech-language pathologist licensed in another member state a license to practice in the state of Washington . This was a lost opportunity , as the bill did not make it out of the House Rules Committee .
SB 5518 concerning the occupational therapy licensure compact
Passed / AWB Supported
Sponsored by Sen . Ron Muzzall , R-Whidbey Island , the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact ( OTLC ) will increase access to care , protect patient safety and reduce costs while supporting state-of-the-art health care . The OTLC allows occupational therapists to have one multistate license , with the privilege to practice in their home state and other OTLC states without obtaining additional licenses . The bill passed the Senate 47-0 and the House 97-0 .
These bills provide state license reciprocity , expedited processing and grace periods for re-licensing while ensuring quality and safety are paramount in the state ’ s health care delivery . Passage of these bills ensured Washington is able to address health care workforce shortages and meet the needs of our military families by providing certification reciprocity when moving from another state . With the transitory nature of our society , having a credential that is transportable and regulations that are expedient while adhering to quality and safety is key to filling critical health care workforce vacancies .
Bill considered as part of AWB ’ s voting record
Favorable outcome for Washington businesses
Missed Opportunities
special edition 2022 29