SB 402

This bill establishes a dietetic internship program under the state

supplemental food program for women, infants, and children (WIC) through which

qualified nutritionists working for the Department of Health Services (DHS) or a

WIC local agency may obtain experience that qualifies as dietetics practice required

to become registered dietitian nutritionists.

Under current law, an individual seeking certification as a dietitian in this state

must meet certain requirements, including the completion of at least 900 hours of

supervised dietetics practice. Under the bill, a nutritionist who is employed by DHS

or a WIC local agency as part of the WIC program and who has met the educational

requirements for certification may be eligible to apply for an internship in the

dietetic internship program. The bill requires DHS to issue to each individual who

successfully completes the dietetic internship program a certificate of completion

that the individual may submit, and the Dietitians Affiliated Credentialing Board

must accept, as proof of completion of dietetics practice requirement for dietitian

certification. An individual must agree to work at least 24 months for the WIC

program upon completion of the internship program. The bill requires DHS to

ensure that the internship program meets the standards for accreditation by the

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). DHS must

seek ACEND accreditation and may not begin accepting applicants for the

internship program until the accreditation is granted. If DHS determines that a

federal waiver is required, DHS must request a waiver from the federal Department

of Agriculture (USDA) and may then implement the program if the USDA approves

the waiver. Subject to the accreditation requirement, DHS, through the WIC

program, may sponsor the number of interns per year determined by DHS, beginning

in September 2017.