HOUSE BILL REPORT

                      SB 5241

                     As Reported By House Committee on:

                              Local Government

Title:  An act relating to public hospital districts.

Brief Description:  Providing for public hospital district chaplains.

Sponsor(s):  Senators Newhouse, Vognild, Hayner, Gaspard, McCaslin and McMullen.

Brief History:

   Reported by House Committee on:

Local Government, April 5, 1991, DPA.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.  Signed by 15 members:  Representatives Haugen, Chair; Cooper, Vice Chair; Ferguson, Ranking Minority Member; Mitchell, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bray; Edmondson; Franklin; Horn; Nealey; Nelson; Rayburn; Roland; Wood; Wynne; and Zellinsky.

Staff:  Steve Lundin (786-7127).

Background:  Public hospital districts are authorized to provide a variety of health related facilities and services.

Summary of Amended Bill:  Public hospital districts are authorized to employ chaplains for their hospitals, health care facilities, and hospice programs.

This authorization is effective only if a constitutional amendment is approved authorizing the Legislature to permit hospital districts to employ chaplains.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  A one sentence, new section authorizes public hospital districts to hire chaplains, rather than adding two words to a six page long section of law.

A section is added providing an effective date of January 1, 1991, if a constitutional amendment is approved authorizing hospital districts to employ chaplains.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date of Amended Bill:  Immediately after the constitutional amendment is approved authorizing the Legislature to permit hospital districts to employ chaplains.

Testimony For:  The auditor indicates that the constitution precludes hospital districts from employing chaplains.  Chaplains can plan an essential role in both the healing process and dying.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  (Pro):  Greg Vigdor, Washington State Hospital Association; and Hack Yador, Pierce County Sheriffs Department.