Bill Passes to Governor for Military Training Credit

S5307, with Sen. Derek Kilmer as prime sponsor, has just passed the State House and is now on its way to Gov. Chris Gregoire for her approval before becoming law.

The Chamber was joined by others including DoD State Liaison Office Northwest and the Washington Defense Partnership in support of the effort to recognize appropriate military training for medical professions.  Included in this bill are:

• denturists;
• dispensing opticians;
• ocularists;
• pharmacy assistants;
• physician assistants;
• osteopathic physician assistants;
• emergency medical technicians;
• radiologic technologists;
• nursing assistants;
• respiratory care practitioners;
• health care assistants;
• surgical technologists;
• dental assistants;
• expanded function dental auxiliaries;
• physical therapists; and
• physical therapy assistants.

Our community welcomes these professionals and their skills and the health care industry looks forward to this skills workforce helping alleviate the shortage in the healthcare industry.

The legislative process:

ESSB 5307

Description: Concerning evaluating military training and experience toward meeting licensing requirements in medical professions.
Sponsors: Senators Kilmer, Hewitt, Regala, Conway, Kastama, Hobbs, King, Rockefeller, Swecker, Roach
Companion Bill: HB 1417

-- 2011 REGULAR SESSION --

• Jan 20  First reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care.
• Jan 24  Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care
• Jan 27  Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care
• Jan 28  HEA - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass
•             Passed to Rules Committee for second reading
• Feb 1   Placed on second reading by Rules Committee
• Feb 28 1st substitute bill substituted (HEA 11)  Floor amendment(s) adopted
•             Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading
•             Third reading, passed; yeas, 46; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 3

-- IN THE HOUSE --

• Mar 1  First reading, referred to Health Care & Wellness
• Mar 9  Public hearing in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness
• Mar 16 Executive action taken in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness
•             HCW - Executive action taken by committee
•             HCW - Majority; do pass
• Mar 21 Passed to Rules Committee for second reading
• Mar 23 Placed on second reading by Rules Committee
• Apr 1   Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading
•            Third reading, passed; yeas, 93; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 4