SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2613

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Health & Long‑Term Care, February 28, 2002

Title:  An act relating to eye banks.

Brief Description:  Repealing state regulation of eye banks.

Sponsors:  Representatives Darneille and Cody; by request of Department of Health.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Health & Long‑Term Care:  2/20/02, 2/28/02 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG‑TERM CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass.

Signed by Senators Thibaudeau, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Costa, Deccio, Fraser, Parlette and Winsley.

Staff:  Tanya Karwaki (786‑7447)

Background:  Washington has one eye bank licensed by the Secretary of Health that provides corneal tissue for transplantation.  This eye bank is also regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.

Summary of Bill:  The authority of the Department of Health to license eye banks is repealed.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  The fiscal note for the companion Senate bill is available.

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

Testimony For:  The licensing of eye banks by the state duplicates the regulation by the federal Food and Drug Administration.  By removing state licensure of eye banks, the state will save money and the eye banks will remain regulated by the federal agency.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Darneille, prime sponsor (pro); Gary Bennett, Department of Health (pro).