HI SB2600

Establishes licensure requirements and regulatory standards for respiratory therapists in Hawaii, one of only two states without respiratory therapy regulation.

Sets respiratory therapist license issuance and renewal fee at $304 and requires applicants to pass the Certified Respiratory Therapist Examination within 90 days of application submission.

Exempts sleep technologists from licensure requirements and removes the six credit hours per year continuing education requirement for license renewal.

Appropriates $137,000 from the compliance resolution fund for fiscal year 2011-2012 to implement the respiratory therapist licensure program.

Sets effective date as July 1, 2011, with the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs provisions taking effect upon approval and the appropriation section effective July 1, 2010; repeals the licensure provisions on June 30, 2016.