S-4808.1  _______________________________________________

                SECOND SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 6546

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      55th Legislature     1998 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Deccio, Wood, Wojahn, Rasmussen, Hochstatter, McAuliffe, Finkbeiner, Prentice, Thibaudeau, Oke and Patterson)

Read first time 02/10/98.

Studying health services in public schools.

    AN ACT Relating to school nurses; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature finds that schools are being asked to play an increasingly expanding role in protecting our children's health.  Schools are responsible for monitoring the immunization of children, evaluating children's hearing and vision, and screening for scoliosis.  Chronically ill children often require medically ordered treatment to enable them to attend school.  Prescription medication is often required to be given to children during the school day.  Schools are also responsible for identifying and reporting child abuse, identifying drug and alcohol problems, treating emergencies, providing counseling and assistance for teenage parents, and providing AIDS education.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  The joint legislative audit and review committee shall continue the study of provision of health services in Washington's public schools.  The next phase of the study shall address the following:

    (1) Workloads of school nurses and other health workers;

    (2) Recommendations on optimal levels of health services;

    (3) Means of providing such health services including contracting with local public health districts and other public and private sources; and

    (4) Funding methodologies and potential sources of funds.

    The study shall be submitted to the appropriate committees of the legislature and the governor by December 1, 1998.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill or chapter number, is not provided by June 30, 1998, in the omnibus appropriations act, this act is null and void.

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