HB 1080 - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

     Provides that a person rendering emergency care or transportation, commonly known as a "Good Samaritan," as described in RCW 4.24.300 and 4.24.310, may request and receive appropriate infectious disease testing free of charge from the local health department of the county of her or his residence, if:  (1) While rendering emergency care she or he came into contact with bodily fluids; and

     (2) she or he does not have health insurance that covers the testing.  Nothing in this section requires a local health department to provide health care services beyond testing.

     Provides that the information obtained from infectious disease testing is subject to statutory confidentiality provisions, including those of chapters 70.24 and 70.05 RCW.

     Declares that in order to assure compliance with the protections under this chapter and the rules of the board, and to assure public confidence in the confidentiality of reported information, the department shall:  (1) Report annually to the board any incidents of unauthorized disclosure by the department, local health departments, or their employees of information protected under RCW 70.24.105.  The report shall include recommendations for preventing future unauthorized disclosures and improving the system of confidentiality for reported information; and

     (2) assist health care providers, facilities that conduct tests, local health departments, and other persons involved in disease reporting to understand, implement, and comply with this chapter and the rules of the board related to disease reporting.

     Provides that any person aggrieved by a violation of this act shall have a right of action in superior court and may recover for each violation against any person who intentionally or recklessly violates a provision of this chapter, ten thousand dollars, or actual damages, whichever is greater, for each violation.