Senator Todd, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 20-087 and distributed amendment L.001 (Attachment B). Starting on January 1, 2021, this bill requires an individual to pass a nationally accredited central service exam, and hold either a certified registered central service technician credential or a sterile processing and distribution technician credential in order to work as a central service technician, with certain exceptions. Anyone who does not meet these requirements may continue to work as a central technician for up to 18 months as long as they are making a good-faith effort to satisfy the requirements. These requirements do not apply to a person who:
• was employed as a central service technician in a hospital or ambulatory surgical center for at least one year between December 31, 2015, and December 31, 2020;
• was employed by a hospital or ambulatory surgical center on December 31, 2020; and
• remains continuously employed after December 31, 2020.
Finally, the bill does not prohibit a hospital or ambulatory center from employing a health care professional; a person who holds and maintains a registration, certification, or license to perform health care services; or a student to perform the duties of a central service technician.
