S-1245.1  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 5596

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      55th Legislature     1997 Regular Session

By Senator Stevens

Read first time 02/03/97.  Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

Requiring a performance audit of the department of health's role in protecting the public from communicable diseases.

    AN ACT Relating to a performance audit of the department of health's role in protecting the public from communicable diseases; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  (1) The joint legislative audit and review committee shall conduct, or within available funds cause to be conducted, a performance audit of the rules, policies, and procedures of the department of health adopted to protect the public from exposure to communicable diseases, including but not limited to tuberculosis, all forms of hepatitis, and HIV/AIDS.  The study must include, but is not limited to:

    (a) An examination of the effectiveness of rules, policies, and procedures adopted, and activities performed, by the department of health and a valid sample of local health jurisdictions to protect members of the public who frequent restaurants, receive services from health care providers or facilities, or come in contact with law enforcement officers; and to protect food service workers, law enforcement personnel including those working in state prisons or county jails, prisoners and jail inmates, health care providers regulated under Title 18 RCW, food processors, and other vulnerable groups; and

    (b) A determination of the effectiveness of testing programs intended to determine the health status of individuals or the safety of facilities or products offered to the public.

    (2) The assessment of the effectiveness of rules, policies, and procedures required under this section must include an assessment of efforts that are intended to protect the public in ways other than by providing education.

    (3) The joint legislative audit and review committee shall submit a report on the study to the legislature by December 20, 1997.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  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 takes effect immediately.

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