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Laws and Regulations

Washington State Legislation
Federal Legislation
Legislative Links of Interest

Washington State Legislation

The Revised Code of Washington (RCW) is the list of laws in effect. The Washington State Legislature writes the laws that are in the RCW. RCWs give state agencies authority to administer rules. The Washington Administrative Code (WAC) is the list of rules that state agencies administer. A Sunrise Review is an evaluation of a proposal to change the laws regulating health professionals in Washington.

The Access Washington web pages have information about Washington State laws and rules, as well as how a bill becomes a law. The RCWs and WACs that relate to genetic services and screening for hearing loss include:

Prenatal Testing: Use and Availability	RCW 70.54.220	WAC 246-680
Prenatal Testing: Coverage	RCW 48.42.090
Prenatal Diagnosis: Benefits	RCW 48.44.344	WAC 246-680
	RCW 48.46.375
	RCW 48.21.244
Newborn Screening	RCW 70.83	WAC 246-650
Newborn Hearing Screening	No laws or rules.	Encouraged by Washington State Board of Health.
Cord Blood Banking	RCW 70.54.220	Rules not yet adopted.
Genetic Testing and Employment	RCW 49.44.180
Healthcare Information Access and Disclosure	RCW 70.02
Consanguinity (Prohibited Marriages)	RCW 26.04.020
Paternity Testing	RCW 26.26 (400-450)
Genetic Counseling Licensure	RCW 18.130.040	In Rulemaking
Guaranteed Issue of Health Insurance	RCW 48.43.035

Federal Legislation

The federal laws that relate to genetic services and screening for hearing loss include:

	Public Law Number:
Prenatally and Postnatally Diagnosed Conditions Awareness Act	110-374
Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act (GINA)	110-233
Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act	110-204
Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act	109-129
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)	108-446
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)	104-191

Legislative Links of Interest

Washington

The Department of Health Rules page has information about rules administered by the Department of Health.
The Washington State Board of Health develops and promotes policies that protect and improve the public's health. Projects have included looking at Genetics and Privacy, Newborn Screening, and Hearing Loss (146KB PDF).
The Washington State Public Affairs TV Network, also known as TVW, has audio and visual coverage of Washington State legislative sessions and public affairs events.
The Washington State Office of Financial Management has information about the state budget.
The National Conference of State Legislators has a Genetic Technologies Project to provide policy makers with information about genetics and related areas.

Federal

The Library of Congress THOMAS web page has information on federal legislation.
The Coalition for Genetic Fairness has an online Guide to GINA.
The US Department of Education has information about IDEA Part-C - Infants and Toddler with Disabilities.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has information about HIPAA.

Unless otherwise noted, all materials and forms on this page are in PDF format.

Links to external resources are provided as a public service and do not imply endorsement by the Washington State Department of Health.