Z-0789.1/91 _______________________________________________
SENATE BILL 5323
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 52nd Legislature 1991 Regular Session
By Senators Bailey, Murray, Rinehart, Oke and Stratton; by request of Board of Health.
Read first time January 28, 1991. Referred to Committee on Education.
AN ACT Relating to the screening program for scoliosis; amending RCW 28A.210.180, 28A.210.190, and 28A.210.200; and repealing RCW 28A.210.230.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec. 1. RCW 28A.210.180 and 1990 c 33 s 201 are each amended to read as follows:
The
legislature recognizes that the condition known as scoliosis, a lateral
curvature of the spine commonly appearing in adolescents, can develop into a
permanent, crippling disability if left untreated. Early diagnosis and referral
can often result in the successful treatment of this condition and greatly
reduce the need for major surgery. Therefore, the purpose of RCW 28A.210.180
through 28A.210.250 is to recognize that a school screening program is an
invaluable tool for detecting the number of adolescents with scoliosis. It is
the intent of the legislature to insure that the superintendent of public
instruction provide and require screening of children for the condition
known as scoliosis ((of all children in the highest risk age group, grades 5
through 10)), to ascertain which, if any, of these children have defects
requiring corrective treatment.
Sec. 2. RCW 28A.210.190 and 1990 c 33 s 202 are each amended to read as follows:
As used in RCW 28A.210.180 through 28A.210.250, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
(1) "Superintendent" means the superintendent of public instruction of public schools in the state, or the superintendent's designee.
(2) "Pupil" means a student enrolled in the public school system in the state.
(3) "Scoliosis" includes idiopathic scoliosis and kyphosis.
(4)
"Screening" means an examination to be performed ((on all pupils
in grades 5 through 10)) for the purpose of detecting the condition known
as scoliosis((, except as provided in RCW 28A.210.230)).
(5) "Public schools" means the common schools referred to in Article IX of the state Constitution and those schools and institutions of learning having a curriculum below the college or university level as now or may be established by law and maintained at public expense.
Sec. 3. RCW 28A.210.200 and 1990 c 33 s 203 are each amended to read as follows:
The
superintendent shall provide for and require the ((yearly)) examination
of ((all)) children attending public schools ((in grades 5 through
10, except as provided in RCW 28A.210.230,)) at least three times
between grades four and eleven in accordance with procedures and standards
adopted by rule of the state board of health in cooperation with the
superintendent of public instruction and the department of health. The
examination shall be made by a school physician, school nurse, qualified
licensed health practitioner, or physical education instructor or by other
school personnel. Proper training of the personnel in the screening process
for scoliosis shall be provided by the superintendent.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. RCW 28A.210.230 and 1990 c 33 s 206 & 1985 c 216 s 6 are each repealed.