Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, for any health care service contract thereunder which is entered into or renewed after July 26, 1981, benefits shall not be denied under such contract for any health care service performed by a holder of a license for registered nursing practice or *advanced registered nursing practice issued pursuant to chapter 18.79 RCW if (1) the service performed was within the lawful scope of such person's license, and (2) such contract would have provided benefits if such service had been performed by a holder of a license issued pursuant to chapter 18.71 RCW: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That no provision of chapter 18.71 RCW shall be asserted to deny benefits under this section.

The provisions of this section are intended to be remedial and procedural to the extent that they do not impair the obligation of any existing contract.

*Reviser's note: The term "advanced registered nursing practice" was changed to "advanced practice registered nursing" by 2024 c 239 s 3, effective June 30, 2027.

Severability—Headings and captions not law—Effective date—1994 sp.s. c 9: See RCW 18.79.900 through 18.79.902.