SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5323

             AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MARCH 4, 1991

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

SPONSORS:Senators Bailey, Murray, Rinehart, Oke and Stratton; by request of Board of Health.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Bailey, Chairman; Erwin, Vice Chairman; Craswell, Metcalf, Murray, Oke, Pelz, Rinehart, A. Smith, and Talmadge. 

Staff:  Larry Davis (786‑7422)

Hearing Dates:February 28, 1991; March 4, 1991

BACKGROUND:

Scoliosis is a lateral curvature of the spine, commonly appearing in adolescence, which can develop into a permanent, crippling disability if left untreated.  Early diagnosis can often result in successful treatment and reduce the need for surgery.  Presently, all public school students in grades five through ten are screened annually for scoliosis.

Current statute gives the State Board of Health rule-making authority for the state scoliosis screening program which is administered by the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI).  However, the Board of Health's rule-making authority does not extend to establishing the required grade levels of scoliosis screening.  Statute directs the SPI to provide for and require screening in the public schools of all students in grades five through ten.

SUMMARY:

Public school students must be examined for scoliosis at least three times between grades four and eleven.

The State Board of Health is given rule-making authority to implement the change in law.

Current law allowing the SPI to waive the scoliosis screening requirement for grades nine and ten is repealed.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

The bill will provide more consistency and flexibility in rule-making authority of the Board of Health.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Sylvia Beck, State Board of Health; Judy Maire, OSPI