[atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to planning for public health emergencies arising from terrorist acts; adding new sections to chapter 38.52 RCW; creating a new section; providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. Following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the government's primary role in protecting the health, safety, and well-being of its citizens has been underscored. The threat of biological and chemical agents used for terrorism creates new and emerging dangers for public health and raises the possibility of mass civilian exposures and casualties. In addition, the September 11th attacks demonstrated that other types of terrorist attacks may create public health emergencies for victims, rescue personnel, government agencies, and the public.

The legislature finds there is a need to focus on the prevention, detection, management, and containment of public health emergencies from infectious diseases. The legislature also finds that an effective communications system is needed to ensure that health care providers across the state can quickly and efficiently notify and communicate with each other regarding signs and symptoms they may observe that may be the earliest indications of bioterrorism and terrorist related public health emergencies. The legislature further finds that there is a need to coordinate planning among government agencies to ensure an effective response to bioterrorism incidents or other terrorist attacks.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 38.52 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The emergency management council must supervise the development of an internet-based communications system by which any licensed health care professional within the state who has access to the internet can post notices of and communicate with each other about observed signs and symptoms that may be indicative of a bioterrorist event or of a potential public health emergency related to bioterrorism or other type of terrorist attack. The system must be capable of providing licensed health care professionals links to educational materials on the prevention, detection, management, and containment of public health emergencies from infectious diseases and on specific types of infectious diseases and biological agents. All licensed health care providers in the state must be informed of the communication system, and be provided instructions as to how to access and use the communication system. The emergency management council may contract with state or local agencies or private industry to develop the system required by this subsection.

(2) Development of the system required by subsection (1) of this section must be completed within four months of the effective date of this section. The director must submit a report to the legislature no later than December 1, 2002, on the development and implementation of the system.

(3) The requirements of subsection (1) of this section may not be construed to affect the requirements to report contagious diseases according to RCW 70.05.110 and rules of the state board of health. The communication system described in subsection (1) of this section may not replace the communication system and protocols currently used to report contagious diseases according to RCW 70.05.110 and rules of the state board of health. The communication system described in subsection (1) of this section must be developed to coordinate, when appropriate, with the communication system currently used to report contagious diseases according to RCW 70.05.110 and rules of the state board of health.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 38.52 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The emergency management council must prepare and the director must approve a plan for responding to a public health emergency caused by or related to bioterrorism or other types of terrorist attacks. The plan shall include provisions for the following:

(a) A means of notifying and communicating with the population during a state of public health emergency;

(b) Centralized coordination of resources, personnel, and services, including coordination of responses by state, local, and federal agencies, and integration of public health response into the incident command structure developed under this chapter;

(c) Identification of actions that would be necessary to contain the spread or transmission of any communicable disease that poses a substantial risk of adverse health consequences to the public. Specific actions to be identified include, but are not limited to: Location, procurement, storage, transportation, maintenance, and distribution of essential materials, including medical supplies, drugs, vaccines, food, shelter, and beds; guidelines for vaccination of personnel; guidelines for the safe and effective management of persons isolated, quarantined, vaccinated, or treated during a state of public health emergency; appropriate training and resources for law enforcement personnel who may be called upon to support local public health authorities; and procedures for tracking the source and outcomes of infected persons;

(d) Identification and training of health care providers to diagnose and treat persons with infectious diseases;

(e) Guidelines for treatment of persons and communities who have been exposed to or who are infected with diseases or health conditions caused by or related to bioterrorism or other types of terrorist attacks, epidemic or pandemic disease, or novel or highly fatal infectious agents, biological toxins, or chemical agents that pose a substantial risk of a significant number of fatalities or incidents of permanent or long-term disability. The guidelines should cover, but not be limited to, anthrax, botulism, smallpox, plague, tularemia, and viral hemorrhagic fevers;

(f) Ensuring that each county within the state identify:

(i) Sites where persons can be isolated or quarantined;

(ii) Sites where medical supplies, food, and other essentials can be distributed to the population;

(iii) Sites where emergency workers can be housed or fed; and

(iv) Routes and means of transportation of people and materials;

(g) Taking into account language, cultural norms, values, and traditions that may be relevant in effectively dealing with a public health crisis;

(h) Distribution of this plan and guidelines to those who will be responsible for implementing or acting on the plan in times of need; and

(i) Other measures necessary to carry out effective response to a public health emergency.

(2) The plan developed according to subsection (1) of this section must be developed by the emergency management council, approved by the director, and delivered to the governor and the legislature no later than six months after the effective date of this section.

This section expires June 30, 2003.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.