Establishment of a dietetic internship program and granting rule-making authority. (FE)

What it does

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

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.

Who's behind it

5 senators are its authors⁠. 3 are Republicans and 2 are Democrats.

19 more lawmakers signed on in support⁠.

What it would cost

State agencies filed a cost estimate. Each opens as a PDF from the Legislature.

• Fiscal Estimate From DHS

Versions and amendments

Every text the Legislature printed for this bill, including proposed changes. Each opens on the Legislature's site.

• Amendment Histories
• LC Amendment Memo