FINAL BILL REPORT

                  SSB 5375

                           C 40 L 97

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Redefining a distributing organization to include a public health agency.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senators Rossi, Hargrove, Sellar, Winsley, Strannigan, Morton, Finkbeiner, Oke, Hochstatter and Long).

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

House Committee on Law & Justice

Background:  Charitable nonprofit organizations, and donors to such organizations, which distribute children=s items to needy persons free of charge, including persons who repair or update such items or who donate space in which storage or distribution of children=s items takes place, are not liable for any damages or criminal penalties resulting from the nature, age, condition or packaging of the donated items, unless the donor or distributing organization acts with gross negligence or intentional misconduct. 

Summary:  The definition of Adistributing organization@ is expanded to include public health departments, so that those public entities, and their donors, will enjoy the same immunity from liability as charitable nonprofit organizations.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 47 0

House     97 0

Effective:  July 27, 1997