9193278A542D986187258521007361B9 Hearing Summary

Representative Mullica, bill sponsor, described Senate Bill 20-087.

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.

Michael Nicoletti, Department of Regulatory Agencies, testified in opposition to the bill.

Josephine Colacci, International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management, testified in favor of the bill and distributed a handout to the committee members (Attachment D).

Damien Berg, International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management, testified in favor of the bill.

The bill sponsor and the previous panel of witnesses responded to questions from the committee.

The bill sponsor made closing remarks on the bill.

The committee members made closing remarks on the bill.