Adds to existing law to provide for the licensure of medical laboratory science practitioners.

The purpose of this bill is to provide licensure for the practice of Medical Laboratory Science. It ensures that those working in medical laboratories are qualified to perform laboratory testing and all activities related to the analysis of materials derived from the human body. Thebillprovidesforunlicensedpersonneltoperformuncomplicatedtesting(alsoknownaswaived testing) which are simple tests that pose no reasonable risk of harm to the patient. Point of care testingisdefinedasmedicallaboratorytestsperformedinaninstitutionalsettingoutsidetheclinical laboratory by healthcare practitioners and supervised by a licensed Medical Laboratory scientist practitioner. Thebilldefinesthreecategoriesofpractitionersandtheirqualifications,feesforlicensure,amedical laboratory board and its powers and duties, and the administration by the board through the Bureau of Occupational Licensing. Laboratory test results provide information to primary care providers for the assessment, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of a disease or impairment. By licensing laboratory practitioners, tests will be performed with the highest degree of professional competency by those engaged in providing laboratory services in Idaho.