SENATE BILL REPORT

                  ESB 6621

              As Passed Senate, February 9, 1996

Title:  An act relating to public access to residential phone numbers and addresses of health care providers.

Brief Description:  Expanding the public inspection and copying exemption for health care providers' residential addresses and phone numbers.

Sponsors:  Senator Quigley.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Health & Long-Term Care:  1/29/96, 1/31/96 [DP].

Passed Senate, 2/9/96, 48-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Quigley, Chair; Wojahn, Vice Chair; Deccio, Fairley, Franklin, Moyer, Thibaudeau, Winsley and Wood.

Staff:  Rhoda Jones (786-7198)

Background:  Under current public disclosure law, the residential address and residential phone number of a health care provider who is registered, certified, or licensed in the state of Washington may not be released to the public by the Department of Health,  providing the department has been given an alternative or business address and telephone number.

Summary of Bill:  The residential addresses and phone numbers of health care providers who are registered, certified, or licensed by the state are not disclosable to the public unless the health care provider gives explicit permission to release them.   An exception is made for the release of this information to professional or educational associations recognized by the Department of Health.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.  New fiscal note requested on January 20, 1996.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Health professionals gain necessary protection from this bill.

Testimony Against:  There is no need for this and it hampers public access to basic information.

Testified:  Ann Simons, UFCU (pro); Nick Federici, WSNA (pro); Ellie Menzies (pro); Rowland Thompson, Allied Daily Newspapers (con).