H-3888.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 2601
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 55th Legislature 1998 Regular Session
By Representatives Murray, Dyer, Cody, Poulsen, Anderson, Butler, Dickerson and Ogden
Read first time 01/16/98. Referred to Committee on Health Care.
AN ACT Relating to establishing a commission to study end-of-life issues; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The governor shall establish a commission to study end-of-life issues, to be known as the commission on quality care issues at the end of life. The commission shall study and make recommendations to the governor and legislature on state policies and private sector practices affecting persons approaching the end of life; the effectiveness and adequacy of pain management policies and protocols including palliative care; the sufficiency of advance directives for providing informed consent in furtherance of patient choices; access to hospice and in-home services; natural death and physician-assisted suicide; professional ethics, including the role of health professionals in fulfilling the quality of life and quality of care of terminal patients; and other issues which the commission deems appropriate in meeting the end-of-life challenges of the aging.
(2) The governor shall appoint individuals from a variety of disciplines and perspectives, acknowledged in their fields, including health professionals specializing in eldercare, senior advocates, spiritual leaders, educators, legal specialists in elderlaw, long-term care institutions, representative health care delivery systems, including purchasers and insurers, or other individuals with expertise on end-of-life issues. The membership of the commission shall include two members of the senate, one from each of the two largest caucuses, and two members of the house of representatives, one from each of the two largest caucuses, who shall not have a vote. The governor may remove any member for cause and appoint members to fill vacancies. The governor shall appoint a chairperson to coordinate and direct the affairs of the commission, which shall meet at such times and in such places in the state as is necessary to accomplish the mission and intent of the study. The commission may hold meetings, including hearings to receive public testimony, which shall be open to the public in accordance with law; and records of the commission shall be subject to public disclosure in accordance with law. Members shall not receive compensation, but may be reimbursed for travel expenses as authorized under RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.
(3) The commission shall transmit its report of findings and recommendations to the governor and legislature by December 1, 1998. The commission, in its advisory capacity, may deliberate, make decisions, and make findings and recommendations by consensus or vote, including the expression of minority opinions. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum.
(4) This section expires December 31, 1998.
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