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Bills › 91st General Assembly

HF 2603Died when the session ended · February 19, 2026

Relating to licensure as a respiratory care practitioner

Sponsored by the House State Government Committee

Same legislation: HSB 711

Also covers HSB 711.

Official bill pageLobbyist declarations

Progress

  1. Introduced
    February 10, 2026
  2. Subcommittee
    February 16, 2026
  3. Committee
    February 17, 2026
  4. Passed House
    —
  5. Passed Senate
    —
  6. Signed
    —

Became HF 2603 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to HF 2603 What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

This bill relates to the licensure of respiratory care therapists. Beginning January 1, 2027, the bill requires an applicant for licensure as a respiratory care practitioner to obtain the registered respiratory therapist credential awarded by the national board for respiratory care, or its successor organization, in addition to other requirements imposed by the board of respiratory care and polysomnography (board) by rule. The bill requires an applicant for licensure that is currently licensed as a respiratory care therapist in another state to either obtain a registered respiratory therapist credential or complete an examination approved by the board by rule.

Read the full explanation

The bill exempts a person licensed as a respiratory care therapist prior to January 1, 2027, from the requirement to obtain a registered respiratory therapist credential, unless the license lapsed more than three months prior to renewal. The bill requires the board to cooperate with educational institutions and business organizations to develop pathways for persons who currently hold a certified respiratory therapist credential to obtain a registered respiratory therapist credential and to create continuing education opportunities to support the professional development of respiratory care practitioners.

From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text

History

Key steps only
2026 session · second year of the 91st General Assembly
February 19, 2026
Introduced, placed on calendar. H.J. 344. Journal
February 19, 2026
As HSB 711: Committee report approving bill, renumbered as HF 2603.
February 17, 2026
As HSB 711: Committee vote: Yeas, 21. Nays, 0. Excused, 2. H.J. 327. Journal
February 17, 2026
As HSB 711: Committee report, recommending passage. H.J. 327. Journal
February 16, 2026
As HSB 711: Subcommittee recommends passage.
February 11, 2026
As HSB 711: Subcommittee Meeting: 02/16/2026 12:00PM House Lounge 2.
February 11, 2026
As HSB 711: Subcommittee reassigned: Johnson, C., Dunwell and Srinivas. H.J. 263. Journal
February 10, 2026
As HSB 711: Subcommittee: Jeneary, Johnson, C. and Srinivas. H.J. 250. Journal
February 10, 2026
As HSB 711: Introduced, referred to State Government. H.J. 246. Journal

Meetings

Votes

Committee · February 17, 202621–0

Select a floor vote to see how each legislator voted.

Lobbyist declarations

For · 1Against · 0Undecided · 1

Grouped by organization. Lobbying overview →