Senate Bill 194 Summary

• Establishes licensure requirements for professional polysomnographers in Delaware, effective July 1, 2014, requiring practitioners to be licensed by the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline.

• Creates a Polysomnography Advisory Council with 5 voting members (1 physician, 4 credentialed polysomnographic technologists) to evaluate applicants, recommend disciplinary actions, and promulgate regulations governing polysomnography practice.

• Defines approved educational programs including accredited polysomnographic programs, respiratory care programs with polysomnography certificates, and programs accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

• Sets grounds for discipline including fraud, incompetence, negligence, violations of professional ethics, and criminal convictions substantially related to polysomnography practice, with penalties ranging from reprimands to license revocation and fines up to $500 per violation.

• Establishes that practicing polysomnography without licensure is a Class G felony punishable by fines of $500-$1,500 and/or imprisonment up to 2 years; exempts students, trainees, government employees, and licensed respiratory care practitioners from licensure requirements.