Photo ID - On April 2, 2020, Governor Inslee signed into law Substitute Senate Bill 5097, requiring licensed massage therapists and certified reflexologists to have government-issued photo identification on themselves or available for inspection at all times they are practicing massage or reflexology. Additionally, the name on the photo identification must match the name on the massage therapy license or reflexology certification. This law took effect June 11, 2020.
AIDS/HIV training repeal - During the 2019 legislative session, Engrossed Substitute House Bill (ESHB) 1551 passed which requires repealing the rules that require HIV/AIDS education and training as a condition of licensure. Section 22, paragraph (11) of ESHB 1551 repeals RCW 70.24.270—Health professions—Rules for AIDS education and training. As a result of this repeal, health professionals are no longer required to obtain AIDS education and training. The intent of ESHB 1551 is to help reduce stigma toward people living with HIV/AIDS by not singling out AIDS as an exceptional disease requiring special training and education separate from other communicable health conditions.
Patient notification of sexual misconduct - During the 2019 legislative session, Substitute House Bill 1198 passed (codified as RCW 18.130.063) that adds requirements to health care practitioners sanctioned for sexual misconduct. This law became effective October 1, 2019. When a health care practitioner has action taken against their license for unprofessional conduct involving sexual misconduct, they are required to notify any patient scheduled for an appointment with that license holder. This is required during the time the health care practitioner is under the formal disciplinary order or stipulation to informal disposition (STID). The patient notification must include a copy of the order or STID, a description of the sanctions, how long the license holder will be under the order or STID, and information on how the patient can get more information.