Committee hears unanimous House‑passed bill to join dietitian licensure compact

House Bill 2,088, which passed the House 93‑1, was heard Feb. 19 by the Senate Health and Long‑Term Care Committee. Committee staff described the compact as an interstate agreement that creates compact privileges for dietitians licensed in participating states and establishes a commission to administer the compact and a shared data system.

Sponsor Representative Marie Levitt and multiple witnesses — including active‑duty spouses, registered dietitians, and veterans’ groups — urged passage to address workforce shortages, reduce licensing delays for military families, and improve access to nutrition care in rural and underserved areas. Testimony noted the compact complements telehealth expansion and preserves state authority to impose adverse actions against licensees in their states.

Jacob Ewing, committee staff, said the compact’s effective date would be July 1, 2028, and that a fiscal note is available. Professional associations including the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Washington State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics testified in favor, noting the compact’s oversight mechanisms and benefits for continuity of care.

The committee closed testimony with wide support and no substantial organized opposition recorded that day; the bill remained in committee pending further action.