SF3415 Summary

• Converts license renewal cycles for allied health professions (physician assistants, acupuncture practitioners, respiratory care practitioners, traditional midwives, registered naturopathic doctors, and genetic counselors) from annual cycles to birth-month-based annual renewals effective January 1, 2019, with transition periods ending July 1, 2021.

• Establishes conversion renewal periods of 6-17 months for existing licensees to align with their birth month, with pro-rated fee adjustments for conversion periods shorter or longer than 12 months.

• Adds reciprocity provisions for licensed professional counselors and alcohol and drug counselors licensed in other jurisdictions for 5 or more years, allowing boards to issue licenses based on experience and qualifications rather than requiring documentation of similar requirements.

• Expands duty-to-warn protections for licensed mental health professionals to include specific guidance on identifying serious threats and discharging warnings through law enforcement, victims, families, or third parties, with liability protections for good faith disclosure efforts.

• Requires the Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board to propose guidelines by January 1, 2019, authorizing EMTs, AEMTs, and paramedics to assist patients with administering their own prescribed medications for emergency conditions during emergency situations.