Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Health Care Committee

SB 6587

Brief Description:  Repealing state regulation of eye banks.

Sponsors:  Senators Thibaudeau and Deccio; by request of Department of Health.

Brief Summary of Bill

$The authority of the Department of Health to license and regulate eye banks is repealed.

Hearing Date:  2/25/02

Staff:  John Welsh (786‑7133).

Background:

Eye banks provide services for collecting and harvesting eye tissue.  Washington has one eye bank licensed by the state to provide corneal tissue for transplantation.  This eye bank is also regulated by the federal Food and Drug Administration.

The Department of Health has identified the regulation of the corneal eye bank as a potential  budget reduction in compliance with the Governor's proposed budget.

Summary of Bill:

The authority of the Department of Health to license eye banks is repealed.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.