BP BHEAD INT H

AN ACT Relating to implementation of the public health improvement plan; amending RCW 41.05.240, 70.05.030, 70.05.035, and 70.46.020; adding new sections to chapter 43.70 RCW; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature declares its intent to implement the recommendations of the public health improvement plan by initiating a program to provide the public health system with the necessary capacity to improve the health outcomes of the population of Washington state and establishing the methodology by which improvement in the health outcomes and delivery of public health activities will be assessed.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout sections 1 through 5 of this act.

(1) "Capacity" means actions that public health jurisdictions must do as part of ongoing daily operations to adequately protect and promote health and prevent disease, injury, and premature death. The public health improvement plan identifies capacity necessary for assessment, policy development, administration, prevention, including promotion and protection, and access and quality.

(2) "Department" means the department of health.

(3) "Local health jurisdiction" means the local health agency, either county or multicounty, operated by local government, with oversight and direction from a local board of health, that provides public health services throughout a defined geographic area.

(4) "Health outcomes" means long-term objectives that define optimal, measurable, future levels of health status, maximum acceptable levels of disease, injury, or dysfunction, or prevalence of risk factors.

(5) "Public health improvement plan," also known as the public health services improvement plan, means the public health services improvement plan established under RCW 43.70.520, developed by the department, in consultation with local health departments and districts, the state board of health, the health services commission, area Indian health services, and other state agencies, health services providers, and residents concerned about public health, to provide a detailed accounting of deficits in the core functions of assessment, policy development, and assurance of the current public health system, how additional public health funding would be used, and to describe the benefits expected from expanded expenditures.

(6) "Public health" means activities that society does collectively to assure the conditions in which people can be healthy. This includes organized community efforts to prevent, identify, preempt, and counter threats to the public's health.

(7) "Public health system" means the department, the state board of health, and local health jurisdictions.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The primary responsibility of the public health system, is to take those actions necessary to protect, promote, and improve the health of the population. In order to accomplish this, the department shall:

(1) Identify, as part of the public health improvement plan, the key health outcomes sought for the population and the capacity needed by the public health system to fulfill its responsibilities in improving health outcomes.

(2)(a) Distribute state funds that, in conjunction with local revenues, are intended to improve the capacity of the public health system. The distribution methodology shall encourage system-wide effectiveness and efficiency and provide local health jurisdictions with the flexibility both to determine governance structures and address their unique needs.

(b) Enter into with each local health jurisdiction performance-based contracts that establish clear measures of the degree to which the local health jurisdiction is attaining the capacity necessary to improve health outcomes. The contracts shall include provisions to encourage collaboration among local health jurisdictions. State funds shall be used solely to expand and complement, but not to supplant city and county government support for public health programs.

(3) Develop criteria to assess the degree to which capacity is being achieved and ensure compliance by public health jurisdictions.

(4) Adopt rules necessary to carry out the purposes of chapter . . ., Laws of 1995 (this act).

(5) Biennially, within the public health improvement plan, evaluate the effectiveness of the public health system, assess the degree to which the public health system is attaining the capacity to improve the status of the public's health, and report progress made toward improving health outcomes.

Sec. 4. RCW 41.05.240 and 1993 c 492 s 468 are each amended to read as follows:

Consistent with funds appropriated specifically for this purpose, the ((~~authority~~)) department shall establish in conjunction with the area Indian health services system and providers an advisory group comprised of Indian and non-Indian health care facilities and providers to formulate an American Indian health care delivery plan. The plan shall include:

(1) Recommendations to providers and facilities methods for coordinating and joint venturing with the Indian health services for service delivery;

(2) Methods to improve American Indian-specific health programming; and

(3) Creation of co-funding recommendations and opportunities for the unmet health services programming needs of American Indians.

Sec. 5. RCW 70.05.030 and 1993 c 492 s 235 are each amended to read as follows:

In counties without a home rule charter, the board of county commissioners shall constitute the local board of health, unless the county is part of a health district pursuant to chapter 70.46 RCW. The jurisdiction of the local board of health shall be coextensive with the boundaries of said county. The board of county commissioners may, at its discretion, adopt an ordinance expanding the size and composition of the board of health to include persons other than elected officials as members, however, the total number of such persons on a local board of health must be less than the total number of elected officials. An ordinance adopted under this section shall include provisions for the appointment, term, and compensation, or reimbursement of expenses, if any, for such persons.

Sec. 6. RCW 70.05.035 and 1993 c 492 s 237 are each amended to read as follows:

In counties with a home rule charter, the county legislative authority shall establish a local board of health and may prescribe the membership and selection process for the board. The county legislative authority may appoint to the board of health persons other than elected officials as members, however, the total number of such persons on a local board of health must be less than the total number of elected officials. The county legislative authority shall specify the appointment, term, and compensation or reimbursement of expenses, if any, for such persons. The jurisdiction of the local board of health shall be coextensive with the boundaries of the county. The local health officer, as described in RCW 70.05.050, shall be appointed by the official designated under the provisions of the county charter. The same official designated under the provisions of the county charter may appoint an administrative officer, as described in RCW 70.05.045.

Sec. 7. RCW 70.46.020 and 1993 c 492 s 247 are each amended to read as follows:

Health districts consisting of two or more counties may be created whenever two or more boards of county commissioners shall by resolution establish a district for such purpose. Such a district shall consist of all the area of the combined counties. The district board of health of such a district shall consist of not less than five members for districts of two counties and seven members for districts of more than two counties, including two representatives from each county who are members of the board of county commissioners and who are appointed by the board of county commissioners of each county within the district, and shall have a jurisdiction coextensive with the combined boundaries. The boards of county commissioners may by resolution provide for persons other than elected officials as members of the district board of health, however, the total number of such persons on a local board of health must be less than the total number of county commissioners. A resolution adopted under this section must specify the provisions for the appointment, term, and compensation, or reimbursement of expenses, if any, for such persons.

At the first meeting of a district board of health the members shall elect a chair to serve for a period of one year.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. Sections 1 through 3 of this act are each added to chapter 43.70 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1995.