WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE
Legislative Digest No. 35

SIXTIETH LEGISLATURE
Thursday, March 6, 200853rd Day - 2008 Regular Session

SENATE
HOUSE
HB 3384HB 3385

This publication includes digest and history for bills, joint memorials, joint resolutions, concurrent resolutions, initiatives, and substitutes. Engrossed measures may be republished if the amendment makes a substantive change.

Electronic versions of Legislative Digests are available at http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/digests.aspx?year=2008.


House Bills

HB 3384

by Representatives Hinkle, Bailey, Newhouse, Haler, Warnick, Schmick, Walsh, Schindler, Roach, Smith, Rodne, Crouse, Priest, Chandler, Alexander, Kristiansen, Herrera, Condotta, Ross, Ahern, Pearson, McCune, Skinner, Ericksen, and McDonald


Decreasing the number of persons without health insurance.


Provides that the legislature intends to implement the recommendation of the blue ribbon commission on health care costs and access, and implement a multipronged approach that provides more affordable health insurance options in the private market to decrease the number of uninsured in Washington.

Authorizes carriers to design and offer a separate health plan targeted at young adults between nineteen and thirty-four years of age.

Authorizes carriers to treat young adults, between twenty-one and thirty-four years of age, and products developed specifically for them as a single banded experience pool for purposes of establishing rates.

Declares that the plan may be offered with a choice of cost-sharing arrangements.

Allows for a person who conducts business as a sole proprietorship to credit against the tax imposed by this act, fifty percent of the value paid during the reporting period for health insurance premiums.
-- 2008 REGULAR SESSION --
Mar 5First reading, referred to Health Care & Wellness.

HB 3385

by Representatives Chase, O'Brien, Skinner, and Hankins


Establishing Washington state biological laboratory rules.


Finds that although research in biotechnology is relatively new, exposures to dangerous substances from various biotechnology labs around the country already have occurred.

Declares that safe and responsible biotechnology research requires that the research be transparent, subject to independent oversight and regulation, and that violations of those regulations be effectively sanctioned.

Provides for a biological research laboratory health and safety program for Washington state.

Authorizes the department of health to adopt rules for the implementation of the program that establish the criteria for determining appropriate locations for siting a building or facility that contains a laboratory.

Creates the Washington state biosafety commission.

Provides for institutional biosafety committees.

Establishes guidelines for preapproval requirements for certain research, emergency suspension of permits, reporting, training, waste management, an emergency response plan, inspections, and violations.
-- 2008 REGULAR SESSION --
Mar 5First reading, referred to Health Care & Wellness.