HOUSE BILL REPORT

                      HB 1377

                           As Passed Legislature

Title:  An act relating to the screening program for scoliosis.

Brief Description:  Revising provisions for the screening program for scoliosis.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Peery, Cole, G. Fisher, Betrozoff, Miller and Jacobsen; by request of Board of Health.

Brief History:

   Reported by House Committee on:

Health Care, February 14, 1991, DP;

Passed House, March 12, 1991, 96-1;

Passed Legislature, 96-1.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

HEALTH CARE

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 10 members:  Representatives Braddock, Chair; Day, Vice Chair; Moyer, Ranking Minority Member; Casada, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Edmondson; Franklin; Morris; Paris; Prentice; and Sprenkle.

Staff:  Bill Hagens (786-7131).

Background:  Presently, scoliosis screening grade requirements are established in law, although other aspects of the screening program are determined by the State Board of Health in rule.  The current requirement of screening students in grades five through ten may not be necessary or the most efficient use of resources.  Further, the board may wish to review and change the requirements as required without seeking statutory revision.

Summary of Bill:  The references to yearly scoliosis screening of high risk children in school grades five through ten are deleted.  Scoliosis screening is required at least three times between grades four and ten.

The State Board of Health is required to adopt rules in cooperation with the Department of Health in addition to the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

RCW 28A. 210.230 is repealed which provided for screening waivers in the ninth and tenth grades.

Fiscal Note:  Requested February 4, 1991.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The bill is needed to provide the Board of Health flexibility in screening scoliosis.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Sylvia Beck, Washington State Board of Health; and Marcia Costello, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.