In
addition, the Board thought it prudent to discuss some major issues likely
to appear on the Legislature’s agenda and to reach agreement on the sense of
the Board prior to session.
The
Statement of Policy on Possible 2006 Legislative Issues represents the
sense of the Board on a limited number of significant issues that the Board
discussed as a whole prior to session, and is intended to guide Board staff
and individual Board members in their communications.
| Bill Number: |
HB 2558
| SB 6371 |
| Short Title: |
Dead animal disposal |
| Prime Sponsor: |
Pettigrew | Rasmussen |
| Status: |
Passed and delivered to the Governor. |
| Digest: |
Requires every person owning
or having in charge any livestock that has died because of disease shall
dispose of the carcass within a time frame and in a manner prescribed in
rule by the director, which may include, but is not limited to, burial,
composting, incinerating, landfilling, natural decomposition, or
rendering. Any livestock found dead from an unknown cause is presumed to
have died because of disease. |
| Full Text: |
Full
text of SB 6371 |
| Reason for Interest: |
Category 3: Update of
Board rule in process (WAC 246-203-120) is being coordinated with the
Department of Agriculture’s proposal to update its statute to allow more
flexibility in its livestock rules.
|
| Explanation: |
Bill would give the
Department of Agriculture authority to develop rules with alternatives
for diseased livestock carcass disposal in addition to burial. |
| Recommendation: |
Support. Testify. |
| Board Action: |
Craig McLaughlin testified in
support of both bills in house of origin. Signed in support of SB 6371
in House. |
| Staff Assigned: |
Ned Therien |
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| Bill Number: |
SHB 2570
| SB 5048 |
| Short Title: |
Prohibiting tobacco product sampling |
| Prime Sponsor: |
Morrell |
| Status: |
Passed and delivered to the
Governor. |
| Digest: |
Declares an intent to protect
minors from the influence of tobacco sampling by eliminating the
distribution of samples in this state. Repeals RCW 70.155.060 and
82.24.270. |
| Full Text: |
Full
text of ESB 5048. |
| Reason for Interest: |
Category 4: Addressed in Board policy statement for 2006 legislative
session. |
| Explanation: |
Free
giveaways of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products are believed to
encourage youth addiction. |
| Recommendation: |
Support. |
| Board Action: |
Sent
letter. |
| Staff Assigned: |
Craig McLaughlin |
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|
| Bill Number: |
2SHB 2805 |
| Short Title: |
An act relating to missing persons |
| Prime Sponsor: |
O'Brien |
| Status: |
Passed and delivered to the
Governor. |
| Digest: |
View
digest online. |
| Full Text: |
Full
text of 2SHB 2805. |
| Reason for Interest: |
Category 1: Would assign a piece of rule making related to newborn
screening to DOH. |
| Explanation: |
The original bill would have
amended
DOH authorizing statute to require the Department to make rules for
releasing newborn screening genetic information to identify missing
persons. Authority for rules regarding privacy of newborn screening now
rests with the Board. That section was removed from later versions. |
| Recommendation: |
Neutral. Recommend technical amendments. |
| Board Action: |
Craig McLaughlin worked with
committee staff. Sent
letter. |
| Staff Assigned: |
Craig McLaughlin |
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|
| Bill Number: |
HB 2887
| SSB 6196 |
| Short Title: |
Tribal representative on the state
board of health |
| Prime Sponsor: |
Morrell | Franklin |
| Status: |
SSB 6196 passed. Concurrence
required. HB 2887 is technically dead. |
| Digest: |
Includes a health official
from a federally recognized tribe on the state board of health. |
| Full Text: |
Full
text of SSB 6196 |
| Reason for Interest: |
Categories 1& 3: Makes a change to the Board’s authorizing statute.
Support for a tribal representative is part of the Board’s strategic
plan. |
| Explanation: |
The first
substitute would require that one of the four health and sanitation
members of the Board would be from a federally recognized tribe. |
| Recommendation: |
Support. Testify. |
| Board Action: |
Frankie Manning testified on
SB 6196. |
| Staff Assigned: |
Tara Wolff |
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|
| Bill Number: |
2SHB 2964
| SSB 6466 |
| Short Title: |
Creating the department of
early learning |
| Prime Sponsor: |
Kagi | Kohl-Welles |
| Status: |
2SHB 2964 passed. SSB 6466 is
technically dead. |
| Digest: |
View
digest online. |
| Full Text: |
Full
text of 2SHB 2964 |
| Reason for Interest: |
Category 4: Addressed in Board policy statement for 2006 legislative
session. |
| Explanation: |
Would
establish a department of early learning. The Board has noted that good
early learning programs help children get preventative services, address
social determinants of health that impact health disparities, and could
prepare a more diverse pool of candidates for health professions
educational programs. |
| Recommendation: |
Support. Testify. |
| Board Action: |
Dr. Kim Marie Thorburn
testified on HB 2964. Craig McLaughlin signed in support on SB 6466. |
| Staff Assigned: |
Tara Wolff |
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|
| Bill Number: |
SHB 3010 |
| Short Title: |
Relating
to ensuring the safety of milk and dairy products |
| Prime Sponsor: |
Moeller |
| Status: |
Technically dead, but an
equivalent bill,
SB 6377, passed |
| Digest: |
View
digest online. |
| Full Text: |
Full
text of SHB 3010. |
| Reason for Interest: |
Category 3: The Board
supports measures to control the spread of communicable diseases. |
| Explanation: |
The
original bill was a placeholder expressing intention that milk sales
should be safe. An amendment introduced on January 31 would clarify that
cow share agreements for raw milk are sales that require licensure. It
would give the Department of Agriculture authority to enter and inspect
unlicensed dairy operations, as well as licensed operations. It would
clearly give the Department of Agriculture authority to order embargo
and destruction of milk produced in violation of rules. It would make a
first offense a gross misdemeanor and repeat violations of operating a
raw milk dairy without a license a class C felony. Amendment #2
introduced on January 31 would require the Department of Agriculture to
form a workgroup to consider special licensing provisions for
micro-dairies. |
| Recommendation: |
Support. |
| Board Action: |
Signed in at hearing. |
| Staff Assigned: |
Ned Therien |
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|
| Bill Number: |
SHB 3039 |
| Short Title: |
Reducing nitrogen discharges
into an aquatic rehabilitation zone |
| Prime Sponsor: |
McCoy |
| Status: |
Technically dead. |
| Digest: |
View substitute
digest online. |
| Full Text: |
Full
text of SHB 3039. |
| Reason for Interest: |
Category 3:
Establishing public health standards for on-site systems is an on-going
SBOH activity. |
| Explanation: |
Requires the Department of
Ecology to ensure that sewage systems control nitrogen discharges to the
Hood Canal rehabilitation zone. Local health officers must require
nitrogen discharges be addressed for on-site sewage systems in such
zones. Deadline for controls is January 2014, except a three-year
extension may be allowed based on Ecology’s evaluation of on-site
treatment system technology performance and expense. |
| Recommendation: |
Support.
Testify. Recommend amendment. Requirements for health officers more
properly belong in Chapter 70.05 RCW, rather than Chapter 43.20 RCW. |
| Board Action: |
Craig McLaughlin testified. |
| Staff Assigned: |
Ned Therien |
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|
| Bill Number: |
HB 3049
| 2SSB 6193 |
| Short Title: |
Requiring surveys of health
professions work force supply and demographics |
| Prime Sponsor: |
Morrell | Franklin |
| Status: |
2SSB 6193 passed. Concurrence
required. HB 3049 is technically dead. |
| Digest: |
View
digest online. |
| Full Text: |
Full
text of HB 3049 | Full
text of 2SSB 6193 |
| Reason for Interest: |
Category 3: Is directly related to one of the Priority Topics
established by the Board each biennium, as supported by a Board-approved
work plan, interim document, or final report. |
| Explanation: |
Requires
that Department of Health, in collaboration with the Work Force Training
and Education Coordinating board, distribute survey questions every two
years. The survey will gather data related to work force supply and
demographics to all health care providers who are licensed to practice
in Washington. |
| Recommendation: |
Support concept. Testify. |
| Board Action: |
Frankie Manning testified on
SB 6193. |
| Staff Assigned: |
Tara Wolff |
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|
| Bill Number: |
HB 3050
| ESB 6194 |
| Short Title: |
Requiring multicultural education
for health professionals |
| Prime Sponsor: |
Morrell | Franklin |
| Status: |
Engrossed SB 6194 passed.
Concurrence required. HB 3050 is technically dead. |
| Digest: |
View
digest online. |
| Full Text: |
Full
text of HB 3050 | Full
text of ESB 6194 |
| Reason for Interest: |
Category 3: Is directly related to one of the Priority Topics
established by the Board each biennium, as supported by a Board-approved
work plan, interim document, or final report |
| Explanation: |
Requires each education program with a curriculum to train health
professionals for employment in a profession credentialed by a
disciplining authority under chapter 18.130 RCW to require a course in
multicultural health as part of its basic education preparation
curriculum. Directs each health professional regulatory authority
authorized to establish continuing education requirements to adopt rules
that provide continuing education training in multicultural health.
Requires that health professional regulatory
authorities consult with a knowledgeable entity (either a state
institution of higher education specializing in health disparities and
multicultural care, or the Department of Health) to develop these rules. |
| Recommendation: |
Support concept. Testify. |
| Board Action: |
Frankie Manning testified on
SB 6194. |
| Staff Assigned: |
Tara Wolff |
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|
| Bill Number: |
HB 3096
| 2SSB 6197 |
| Short Title: |
Creating the governor's interagency
council on health disparities |
| Prime Sponsor: |
Santos | Franklin |
| Status: |
SB 6197 passed. Concurrence
required. HB 3096 is technically dead. |
| Digest: |
View
digest online. |
| Full Text: |
Full
text of 2SSB 6197 |
| Reason for Interest: |
Category 3: Is directly related to one of the Priority Topics
established by the Board each biennium, as supported by a Board-approved
work plan, interim document, or final report. |
| Explanation: |
The bill’s aim is to become the healthiest state in the nation by
striving to eliminate health disparities in women and people of color.
The bill creates the Governor's Interagency Council on Health
Disparities. The Board is charged with convening and providing
assistance to the council. The council must promote and facilitate
communication, coordination, and collaboration among relevant state
agencies and communities of color to address health disparities. The
council will conduct public hearings, inquiries, studies, or other forms
of information gathering to understand how the actions of state
government ameliorate or contribute to health disparities. Within the
limits of their resources, all state agencies are required to cooperate
with the council's efforts. The council will meet as often as necessary,
but not less than six times per calendar year. The bill directs the
council to produce an action plan for eliminating health disparities and
a final report by 2012. |
| Recommendation: |
Support concept. Testify. |
| Board Action: |
Frankie Manning testified on
SB 6197. |
| Staff Assigned: |
Tara Wolff |
|
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|
| Bill Number: |
HB 3097
| SSB 6195 |
| Short Title: |
Requiring health impact
assessments |
| Prime Sponsor: |
Santos | Franklin |
| Status: |
Technically dead but similar
language amended into SB 6197. |
| Digest: |
View
digest online. |
| Full Text: |
Full
text of HB 3097 | Full
text of SSB 6195 |
| Reason for Interest: |
Category 3: Is directly related to one of the Priority Topics
established by the Board each biennium, as supported by a Board-approved
work plan, interim document, or final report. |
| Explanation: |
Directs
the Board, in collaboration with the Governor's Interagency Council on
Health Disparities, to complete health impact assessments. Assistance
will be provided by any state agency from which the Board makes a
request. The Board may limit the number of health impact assessments it
produces to retain quality while operating within its available
resources. The bill appropriates the sum of $300,000 for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 2007. |
| Recommendation: |
Support concept. Testify. |
| Board Action: |
Frankie Manning testified on
SB 6195. |
| Staff Assigned: |
Tara Wolff |
|
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|
| Bill Number: |
SSB 6183 |
| Short Title: |
Creating provisions relating to the
hepatitis C virus |
| Prime Sponsor: |
Kastama |
| Status: |
Technically dead. |
| Digest: |
View
digest online. |
| Full Text: |
Full
text of SSB 6183. |
| Reason for Interest: |
Category 1: Would create a reporting system for hepatitis C apart
from the current communicable disease surveillance system. DOH would
make rules rather than the Board. |
| Explanation: |
Calls for
establishment of a hepatitis C registry, reporting of cases directly to
DOH, and rule making by DOH. A registry already exists based on the
Board's notifiable conditions rule. Reports currently go through local
health jurisdictions, which is where most disease control measures are
initiated. |
| Recommendation: |
Support concept. Recommend amendment. |
| Board Action: |
Sent
letter. |
| Staff Assigned: |
Craig McLaughlin |
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|
| Bill Number: |
SB 6363 |
| Short Title: |
Developing worksite health promotion programs |
| Prime Sponsor: |
Keiser |
| Status: |
Technically dead. |
| Digest: |
View
digest online. |
| Full Text: |
Full
text of SB 6363. |
| Reason for Interest: |
Category 4: Consistent with
Board policy statement encouraging greater physical activity and
improved nutrition. |
| Explanation: |
Would require Health Care
Authority to develop on-line personal health assessment tool, and
develop policies for state employers that create financial incentives
for health behaviors. Would establish state grant program to help small
businesses establish employee health promotion programs. |
| Recommendation: |
Support concept. Send letter. |
| Board Action: |
Sent
letter. |
| Staff Assigned: |
Craig McLaughlin |
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|
| Bill Number: |
ESSB 6366
| HB 2542 |
| Short Title: |
Preparation and response to pandemic influenza |
| Prime Sponsor: |
Keiser |
| Status: |
SB 6366 passed. Concurrence
required. HB 2542 is technically dead. |
| |
View
digest online. |
| Full Text: |
Full
text of ESSB 6366. |
| Reason for Interest: |
Categories 3 & 4: Addressed in Board policy statement for 2006
legislative session and 2005 strategic plan. |
| Explanation: |
Would
support public health efforts to prepare for pandemic flu. The bills are
not companions and take different approaches to accountability and
deliverables, but both would award $20 million to public health for
pandemic influenza preparedness. |
| Recommendation: |
Support concept. Testify. |
| Board Action: |
Signed in at hearing on SB
6366. Kim Thorburn testified on HB 2542. |
| Staff Assigned: |
Craig McLaughlin |
|
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|
| Bill Number: |
SSB 6377 |
| Short Title: |
Changing the regulation of milk and
milk products |
| Prime Sponsor: |
Doumit |
| Status: |
Passed. |
| Digest: |
View
digest online. |
| Full Text: |
Full
text of SSB 6377. |
| Reason for Interest: |
Category 3: Board did not
accept public proposal in 2004 to ease rules on raw milk sales.
Illnesses from raw milk remain a concern. Cow share agreements are a
marketing strategy that have attempted to circumvent public health
controls.
|
| Explanation: |
Bill would
clarify that cow share agreements for raw milk are sales requiring
licensure of the farm operation as a raw milk dairy subject to
inspection by the Department of Agriculture. |
| Recommendation: |
Support. |
| Board Action: |
Signed in at hearings in
support. |
| Staff Assigned: |
Ned Therien |
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|
| Bill Number: |
SB 6607 |
| Short Title: |
Requiring notification of pesticide application |
| Prime Sponsor: |
Kohl-Welles |
| Status: |
Technically dead. |
| Digest: |
View
digest online. |
| Full Text: |
Full
text of SB 6607. |
| Reason for Interest: |
Category 1: Makes a change in
the Board's statutory authority and requirements. |
| Explanation: |
Requires the Board to adopt
rules requiring pesticide applicators to notify schools, hospitals, and
certain residential care facilities within a half mile, two days in
advance, of application by certain air dispersion methods for pesticides
labeled “danger/poison.” Distance is established by property boundary of
facility. |
| Recommendation: |
Concerns. WSDA has authority
for most other pesticide application controls. Coordination of pesticide
application by one state agency would better prevent confusion to the
regulated community. |
| Board Action: |
Sign in at hearing. Available
for questions. |
| Staff Assigned: |
Ned Therien |
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| |
