BILL REQ. #:  H-3637.2 

Read first time 01/29/14.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning & Human Services.

     AN ACT Relating to fetal alcohol exposure; amending RCW 70.96A.510; adding new sections to chapter 66.28 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature finds that fetal alcohol exposure can cause serious mental and physical disorders and disabilities in children. These disorders are preventable if a mother does not drink during pregnancy. With the advent of private alcohol retailers, there is now increased access to alcohol. The legislature intends to require signage warning women about the dangers of fetal alcohol exposure in all stores selling alcohol.
     (2) The legislature further finds that by collecting evidence-based practices around the identification, prevention, and interventions for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, the number of affected individuals can decrease and those who are affected can improve their lives. Finally, by convening a work group of stakeholders, the legislature can become better informed about steps that can be taken to appropriately address fetal alcohol exposure.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 66.28 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) At a minimum, premises that serve alcohol for on-premises consumption, grocery store licensees, beer and wine specialty shop licensees, breweries, wineries, and taverns shall post in a conspicuous place easily seen by patrons a printed sign at least eighteen inches by twenty-four inches in size, with letters at least two inches high, warning that consumption of alcohol during pregnancy can cause birth defects.
     (2) This section does not apply to self-service minibars in hotel guest rooms.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 66.28 RCW to read as follows:
     The board shall have the authority to adopt rules to carry out section 2 of this act in a manner that will increase the visibility of signage. The contents of section 2 of this act provide the minimum requirements regarding warning that consumption of alcohol during pregnancy can cause birth defects, but the board may adopt additional rules beyond those minimum requirements to ensure that customers observe these warnings.

Sec. 4   RCW 70.96A.510 and 1995 c 54 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
      (1) The department of social and health services, the department of health, the department of corrections, and the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall execute an interagency agreement to ensure the coordination of identification, prevention, and intervention programs for ((children)) individuals who have fetal alcohol exposure, and for women who are at high risk of having children with fetal alcohol exposure.
     The interagency agreement shall provide a process for community advocacy groups to participate in the review and development of identification, prevention, and intervention programs administered or contracted for by the agencies executing this agreement.
     (2) The interagency agreement shall provide for a work group cochaired by the department of social and health services, the University of Washington fetal alcohol syndrome diagnostic and prevention network, and the University of Washington fetal alcohol and drug unit to address fetal alcohol exposure issues related to identification, prevention, and intervention. This work group shall include the department of health, the department of corrections, the office of the superintendent of public instruction, and other interested organizations identified by the department of social and health services, the University of Washington fetal alcohol syndrome diagnostic and prevention network, and the University of Washington fetal alcohol and drug unit.
     (3) By December 1, 2014, the work group shall develop recommendations and provide a report to the appropriate committees of the legislature relating to:
     (a) Identification of evidence-based practices for early screening and diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders;
     (b) Identification of evidence-based practices for prevention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders;
     (c) Identification of evidence-based practices for interventions that can be used with individuals experiencing fetal alcohol spectrum disorders; and
     (d) Recommendations of policy changes that would improve the identification, prevention, or interventions related to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.