FINAL BILL REPORT

ESHB 1827

PARTIAL VETO

C 398 L 03

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Requiring information on meningitis immunization for college students.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Moeller, Skinner, Fromhold, Schoesler, Romero, Sullivan, Hankins, Hunt, Morrell, Delvin, Cox, Kenney, Hinkle, Linville, Wood, Cody, Dunshee, Schual-Berke, Sehlin and Simpson).

House Committee on Health Care

Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

Background:

Meningitis is an infection and inflammation of the membranes and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis is most frequently caused by either bacteria or viruses. The bacterial variety is usually the most serious. Meningitis must be treated immediately to lessen the effects of any potential complications.

The meningococcus bacteria causes a highly contagious form of meningitis. Meningococcal meningitis can lead to brain damage, hearing loss, and learning disabilities. It kills about 300 people in the United States every year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that between 1991 and 1997 the number of cases of meningococcal meningitis doubled for people 15 to 24 years old. Common living situations for people in these age groups, such as college dormitories, boarding schools, and military bases, pose a higher risk for outbreaks of the disease. In 2000 the CDC recommended that college freshmen, especially those living in dormitories, receive information about meningococcal disease and the benefits of vaccination.

Notifiable conditions are diseases and conditions that, under the Department of Health (Department) rules, must be reported to either a local health officer or the Department to protect public health. Health care providers, laboratory directors, and health care facilities all have a duty to report occurrences of these diseases and conditions. Health care providers and facilities must report an occurrence of meningococcal meningitis to the local health department immediately and laboratories must do so within two days.

Summary:

Higher education institutions, except for community and technical colleges, that maintain residential campuses must provide information regarding meningococcal disease to all enrolled, matriculated, first-time students. Community and technical colleges must only provide such information to students who are offered on-campus or group housing. The information must include: symptoms, risks, and treatment of the disease; current meningococcal vaccination recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and locations where the vaccination can be received.

Neither higher education institutions nor the Department are required to provide the vaccine to any student. Higher education institutions that have an electronic enrollment or registration program must provide the information electronically and have the student acknowledge receipt prior to completing electronic enrollment or registration.

Votes on Final Passage:

House 98  0

Senate 47  0    (Senate amended)

House             (House refused to concur)

Senate 45  0    (Senate amended)

House 98  0    (House concurred)

Effective: July 1, 2004

Partial Veto Summary: The Governor vetoed the requirement that institutions of higher education that offer electronic enrollment or registration provide meningococcal information to students electronically.