HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 ESHB 2026

                       As Passed House

                       March 13, 1993

Title:  An act relating to notice about fetal alcohol syndrome.

Brief Description:  Requiring notice about fetal alcohol syndrome.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Karahalios, Wood, Leonard and Kessler.)

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Commerce & Labor, March 3, 1993, DPS;

Appropriations, March 5, 1993, DPS(CL-A APP);

  Passed House, March 13, 1993, 96-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Heavey, Chair; G. Cole, Vice Chair; Lisk, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Conway; Horn; King; Springer; and Veloria.

Staff:  Jim Kelley (786-7166).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report:  The substitute bill by Committee on Commerce & Labor be substituted therefor and the substitute bill as amended by Committee on Appropriations do pass.  Signed by 26 members:  Representatives Locke, Chair; Valle, Vice Chair; Silver, Ranking Minority Member; Carlson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appelwick; Ballasiotes; Basich; Cooke; Dellwo; Dorn; Dunshee; G. Fisher; Jacobsen; Lemmon; Leonard; Linville; Morton; Peery; Rust; Sehlin; Sheahan; Stevens; Talcott; Wang; Wineberry; and Wolfe.

Staff:  Beth Redfield (786-7130).

Background:  Fetal alcohol syndrome is the third leading cause of mental retardation in the United States.  Approximately 145 babies are born in Washington each year with fetal alcohol syndrome.

Summary of Bill:  The Liquor Control Board is required to post in a conspicuous place within each state liquor store a notice warning women that drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause birth defects, including fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol effects.

Fiscal Note:  Requested March 1, 1993.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  (Commerce & Labor) Fetal alcohol syndrome is a very serious problem.  This is nothing more than a good first step toward addressing the problem.  The Liquor Control Board can administer the bill as long as the money is provided.

(Appropriations) None.

Testimony Against:  (Commerce & Labor) None.

(Appropriations) None.

Witnesses:  (Commerce & Labor) Representative Karahalios, Prime Sponsor (in favor); Ken Stark, Department of Social and Health Services (in favor); and Carter Mitchell, Liquor Control Board (neutral).

(Appropriations) None.