FINAL BILL REPORT

                 ESHB 1672

                          C 96 L 93

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Creating the eye care for the homeless program in Washington.

By House Committee on Human Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Wineberry, J. Kohl, Wood, Anderson, Sheldon, Veloria, Scott, Jones, Ludwig, Brough and Foreman).

House Committee on Human Services

Senate Committee on Health & Human Services

Background:  Among the numerous barriers that many homeless people face in achieving self-sufficiency is impaired vision. Many providers of vision services offer services at reduced cost or no cost to individuals who are homeless. There is no program which connects the homeless who are in need of vision services with providers of those services.

Summary:  The Eye Care for the Homeless Program is established.  The Department of Social and Health Services is directed to coordinate the efforts of private organizations for the purpose of providing free vision services to the homeless.

To the extent consistent with its budget, the department is required to pay for eyeglass hardware provided under this program, but is also required to seek private sector financial assistance.  Used frames may be provided under this program.

Generally, limited liability for negligence is granted to opthamologists, optometrists, and opticitians with respect to their provision of vision services and eyeglasses under this program.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  97 0

Senate 48 0

Effective:  July 25, 1993