The bill aims to protect the clinical autonomy of audiologists in Washington State, particularly in the context of telehealth services. It recognizes the growing importance of telehealth, including teleaudiology, as a cost-effective and patient-centered approach to healthcare. The legislation emphasizes that regulatory frameworks should support licensed professionals' clinical judgment in determining the best treatment modality for patients, whether telehealth or in-person. It asserts that professional practice standards should be consistent across different modalities and should not infringe upon the autonomy of practitioners.

To implement these goals, the bill amends RCW 18.35.161, granting the board the authority to establish minimum standards for the fitting and dispensing of hearing instruments while ensuring these standards are applied consistently across different care modalities. The amendments also emphasize the importance of respecting the clinical decision-making and autonomy of licensed practitioners in determining the most appropriate treatment methods. Overall, the bill seeks to create a regulatory environment that supports audiologists in their professional practice while maintaining high standards of care.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 18.35.161