The bill aims to increase the licensure fees that support the Washington physicians health program, which serves healthcare professionals with impairing health conditions. It introduces a new section emphasizing the importance of the program in maintaining a healthy physician workforce and outlines the necessity for periodic fee increases to sustain and enhance services. The bill amends several existing laws, including RCW 18.71.310, 18.71A.020, 18.57.015, 18.22.250, 18.32.534, and 18.92.047, to reflect these changes.

Key amendments include raising the annual surcharge for license renewals or new licenses from fifty dollars to seventy dollars for physicians, physician assistants, osteopathic physicians, podiatric physicians, and dentists. Additionally, the surcharge for veterinarians will increase from twenty-five dollars to thirty-five dollars. These funds will be allocated to the impaired physician account to support the health programs for these professionals. The bill also establishes an effective date for the changes, with certain provisions taking effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 18.71.310, 18.71A.020, 18.57.015, 18.22.250, 18.32.534, 18.92.047
Bill as Passed Legislature: 18.71.310, 18.71A.020, 18.57.015, 18.22.250, 18.32.534, 18.92.047
Session Law: 18.71.310, 18.71A.020, 18.57.015, 18.22.250, 18.32.534, 18.92.047