SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 1080

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

            Health & Long‑Term Care, April 1, 1999

Title:  An act relating to providing infectious disease testing for good samaritans.

Brief Description:  Providing infectious disease testing for good samaritans.

Sponsors:  Representatives Carlson, Ogden, Pennington, Dunn, Tokuda, Stensen, O'Brien, Morris, Conway, Lambert, Lantz, Wood, Rockefeller, Parlette, Esser and Lovick.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Health & Long‑Term Care:  4/1/99 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Thibaudeau, Chair; Wojahn, Vice Chair; Costa, Deccio, Franklin, Johnson and Winsley.

Staff:  Joan K. Mell (786-7447)

Background:  Rendering emergency medical treatment resulting in exchange of bodily fluid increases a person's exposure to deadly infectious diseases like hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus.  Persons rendering emergency care or transportation as volunteers are known as "good Samaritans" and are described in statute.  As volunteers, good Samaritans often are unable to pay for disease testing when exposed to bodily fluids.

Summary of Bill:  If a good Samaritan has been exposed to bodily fluids while rendering emergency care and has no insurance to cover disease testing, the local health department must provide free testing.  No other services must be provided.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  This bill takes some initial steps to help volunteers who may be exposed to deadly diseases.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Rep. Don Carlson (pro).