SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 6076

         AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE,

                       FEBRUARY 3, 1994

Brief Description:  Requiring warning notices where alcoholic beverages are sold or consumed.

SPONSORS: Senators Wojahn, Deccio, Skratek, Moyer, Franklin, Gaspard, Prince, Oke and Erwin

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Moore, Chairman; Prentice, Vice Chairman; Deccio, Fraser, McAuliffe, Pelz, Sellar, Sutherland, Vognild and Wojahn.

Staff:  Traci Ratzliff (786‑7452)

Hearing Dates:  January 24, 1994; February 3, 1994

BACKGROUND:

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is now recognized as the leading known cause of mental retardation.  It is a medically diagnosed birth defect.  Children or adolescents afflicted with FAS have the following characteristics:  prenatal and postnatal growth deficiencies; a characteristic pattern of facial features and other physical abnormalities; and central nervous system dysfunction, such as hyperactivity, motor problems, attention deficit, and cognitive disabilities. Research indicates that the consumption of alcohol shortly before conception or during pregnancy can cause FAS and other birth defects.

SUMMARY:

Licensees selling liquor, beer or wine for on or off premise consumption are required to post notices warning persons that the consumption of alcohol shortly before conception or during pregnancy may cause birth defects, including Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effects.

The Liquor Control Board shall adopt rules determining sign placement, sign size, print size and typeface.

The Liquor Control Board shall supply the signs to retail licensees and charge liquor suppliers for the cost of designing and producing the signs.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is one of the leading causes of birth defects in children.  There is no cure for FAS; however, FAS is totally preventable.  People must simply abstain from drinking alcohol prior to conception or during pregnancy.  Warning signs informing people of the hazards of drinking prior to and during pregnancy can be a significant way to prevent FAS.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Senator Wojahn, prime sponsor; Robert Fineman, Washington State Department of Health; Carter Mitchell, Liquor Control Board; Vito Chiechi, Washington State Licensed Beverage Association; Stu Halsan, Coors Brewing