HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESHB 258

BYHouse Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Braddock, Brooks, Lewis, Moyer, Lux, D. Sommers, Sprenkle and Unsoeld; by request of Department of Social and Health Services)

Changing provisions relating to public health fees.

House Committe on Health Care

Majority Report:     The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (8)

     Signed by Representatives Braddock, Chair; Day, Vice Chair; Bristow, Brooks, Cantwell, Lux, D. Sommers and Sprenkle.

House Staff:Bill Hagens (786-7131)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 4, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Public Health fees are collected in order to support certain public health programs.  At present the fees for birth and death certificates do not support the entire cost of the vital records program.  The cost of food handler permits, set thirty years ago at $2.00, does not provide sufficient revenue for local health departments to provide training in food handling and preparation.

SUMMARY:

The fee for a copy of a vital record is increased from $6.00 to $10.00.  Duplicate copies of death certificates may be obtained for $5.00 each if ordered at the same time as the first copy.  The fee for a search where no copy is made is raised from $3.00 to $8.00.  Local registrars shall charge the same fee amounts as the state.  Two dollars from each fee paid at the local or state level shall be credited to the death investigations account.

The fee which local health departments may charge for food handler permits shall be uniform throughout the state and will be set by the the State Board of Health.  The amount set shall reflect the cost of the program and shall not be too high to prevent low-income persons from getting a permit.  Initial permits will be valid for two years and renewed permits valid for five years.

Temporary food establishments (operating for less than 21 days) must require the operator or person in charge to obtain a food handler permit.  Other food handlers at temporary food establishments need not obtain a food handler permit.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENT(S):  Raises fee by an additional dollar.  Funds to go for death investigations account.

Revenue:   The bill has a revenue impact.

Fiscal Note:    Attached.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:     John Thayer, Washington State Environmental Health Director; Leslie F. James, Department of Social and Health Services and Don Leaf, Thurston County Health Department.

House Committee - Testified Against: None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:     An increase in fees is necessary to sustain the program.

House Committee - Testimony Against: None Presented.