HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1558
BYRepresentatives Inslee, P. King, Van Luven, Appelwick, Beck, Wineberry, Wood, Rector, Smith, Brekke, Baugher, Winsley, Leonard, Todd, Ballard, Nutley, Rayburn, Jacobsen, Hankins, Braddock, Grant, Locke, Brumsickle, Jesernig, Wang, Betrozoff, Wolfe, Brough, Horn, Basich, Bowman and Ferguson
Regulating use of steroids.
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; Brooks, Ranking Republican Member; Cantwell, Morris, D. Sommers, Vekich and Wolfe.
House Staff:Bill Hagens (786-7131)
AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE FEBRUARY 22, 1989
BACKGROUND:
Steroids are synthetic derivatives of male hormones. They are used by some athletes to build up muscles. The use of steroids has been linked to serious side effects such as mood swings, severe ache, baldness, sterility, abnormal liver function, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and, possibly, cancer of the liver.
The increase in the inappropriate use of steroids, especially among teenage boys, has been alarming. A recent study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA, December 15, 1988), indicated that as many as half a million teenage boys may be using steroids, primarily for body building. Further, most got these drugs through illegal sources.
There is no regulation of steroid drugs in current law.
SUMMARY:
SUBSTITUTE BILL: Steroids are defined as anabolic steroids of specified chemical derivatives, androgens, or growth hormones. The Board of Pharmacy may add or delete other steroid chemical derivatives by rule and must inform the legislature of the rationale.
Practitioners are prohibited from prescribing steroids solely for the purpose of enhancing athletic ability without a medical necessity to do so, and must maintain patient medical records showing the diagnosis and purpose of any prescription for steroids. A violation of this requirement is a gross misdemeanor.
Possession of up to 200 tablets or eight cubic centimeter bottles of steroids is punishable as a gross misdemeanor. Possession of greater amounts is punishable as a Class C felony.
Public schools must post signs on the premises of athletic departments advising students of the health risks of using steriods to enhance athletic ability and the penalties provided by law.
SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL: The bill is restructured with new sections to form a separate ensemble in Chapter 69.41 RCW. The definition of steroids is clarified. Practitioners violating this act are subject to the penalties of a gross misdemeanor (up to one year in jail, and up to a $5,000 fine) instead of two years in prison with up to a $2,000 fine. Persons illegally possessing steroids are subject to the penalties of a gross misdemeanor for possessing under 200 instead of 500 tablets, and of a Class C felony for possessing over 200 instead of 500 tablets. Public schools must post signs advising students of health risks for using steroids to enhance athletic ability.
Fiscal Note: No Impact.
House Committee ‑ Testified For: William Scheyer, Washington State Medical Society; Charles R. James, Board of Pharmacy; John Gorow, Association of Washington School Principals; Representative Jay Inslee, Ed Lanlainry, Washington State Coaches Association; Gary Moore, Washington State Coaches Association; Cliff Gillies, Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association; Tim Tubbs, Washington State Coaches Association and Jeff Larsen, Washington Osteopathic Medical Association and Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians.
House Committee - Testimony For: The use of steroids by would-be athletes poses a dangerous risk to their health and safety including heart disease and cancer. Steroids are a dangerous drug, and its use is accelerating principally among high school students. Physicians should not prescribe them except for therapeutic purposes.
House Committee - Testified Against: None Presented.