Sunset Regulation of Respiratory Therapy

Sunset Process - House Health and Human Services Committee. The bill implements the recommendations of the department of regulatory agencies (department), as specified in the department's sunset review of the regulation of respiratory therapy, as follows:

• Sections 1 and 2 of the bill continue the regulation of respiratory therapy for 11 years, until September 1, 2035;
• The definition of respiratory therapy in current law includes certain treatments of patients pursuant to a prescription issued by a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or certified midwife. Section 3 expands the definition to also include a prescription issued by a physician assistant.
• Current law exempts an unregistered polysomnographic technologist (technologist) who practices respiratory therapy from the state regulatory requirements for respiratory therapists if the technologist is practicing under the supervision of a respiratory therapist, physician, or certain other practitioner. Section 4 narrows this exemption to practices that do not exceed oxygen titration with pulse oximetry and noninvasive positive pressure ventilation titration.
• Sections 5 and 6 repeal an obsolete provision and a redundant provision.
  (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)