Assigned to HEALTH                                                                                                                      FOR COMMITTEE

 

 


 

 

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Forty-eighth Legislature, First Regular Session

 

FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2518

 

respiratory care board; continuation

 

Purpose

 

            Continues the Arizona Board of Respiratory Care Examiners (Board) for ten years. 

 

Background

 

            Statute defines the practice of respiratory therapy as direct and indirect respiratory care services performed in a clinic, hospital, skilled nursing facility or private dwelling or other place deemed appropriate or necessary by the Board in accordance with the prescription or verbal order of a physician and performed under qualified medical direction. These services include: a) administering agents related to respiratory care procedures necessary to implement a regiment prescribed by a physician; b) transcribing and implementing a physician’s orders regarding respiratory care; c) implementing appropriate protocols or changes in treatment based on a physician’s prescription; d) initiating emergency procedures pursuant to board rules; e) respiratory therapy; and f) inhalation therapy.

 

            The Board was created by the Legislature in 1990 with the intent to “protect the public from unauthorized and unqualified practice of respiratory care and from unprofessional conduct by persons licensed to practice respiratory care.” The Board is responsible for licensing and regulating state respiratory care practitioners who are not licensed by another healthcare professional regulatory board.  

 

            The Board consists of seven governor-appointed members.  Board membership includes: a) three licensed care practitioners, at least one of whom is a technical director of a respiratory care department or respiratory care corporation or an officer or faculty member of a college, school, or institution engaged in respiratory therapy education and at least one of whom is involved in direct patient care; b) a licensed physician who is knowledgeable about respiratory care; c) two public members who are not engaged, directly or indirectly in the provision of health care services; and d) one hospital administrator. 

 

            In November, the Health Committee of Reference held a sunset review regarding the Board.  The COR recommended to continue the Board for ten years.

 

            The Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) reports that for FY 2006-2007, the Board has an operating budget of $209,100 and 4 full time equivalent positions.

 

           


 

            There is an anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund as a result of this legislation.  Statute requires the Board to deposit ten percent of the monies it collects into the state General Fund.  The JLBC staff reports that the Board deposited $22,800 into the state General Fund in FY 2005-2006.  If the Board is not continued, state General Fund revenue would decrease by a corresponding amount.            

 

Provisions

 

1.      Continues, retroactive to July 1, 2007, the Board until July 1, 2017. 

 

2.      Repeals the Board on January 1, 2018. 

 

3.      Contains a purpose statement.

 

4.      Becomes effective on the general effective date, with a retroactive provision as noted.  

 

House Action

 

HEALTH        2/14/07     DP     7-0-0-3

3rd Read           2/26/07               52-7-1-0

 

Prepared by Senate Research

March 20, 2007

BKL/AS/ac