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               ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5291

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State of Washington      57th Legislature     2001 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Health & Long‑Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Costa, Winsley, Franklin and Fraser)

READ FIRST TIME 02/16/01.

Requiring certain immunizations of staff and residents of long-term care facilities. 

    AN ACT Relating to immunizations at long-term care facilities; adding a new section to chapter 74.39 RCW; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  It is the intent of the legislature to ensure that long-term care facilities are safe.

    (1) The long-term care resident and employee immunization act is intended to:

    (a) Prevent and reduce the occurrence and severity of the influenza virus and pneumococcal disease by increasing the use of immunizations licensed by the food and drug administration;

    (b) Avoid pain, suffering, and deaths that may result from the influenza virus and pneumococcal disease;

    (c) Improve the well-being and quality of life of residents and employees of long-term care facilities; and

    (d) Reduce avoidable costs associated with treating the influenza virus and pneumococcal disease.

    (2) The legislature finds that:

    (a) Recent studies show that it is important to immunize older citizens against the influenza virus and pneumococcal disease;

    (b) The centers for disease control and prevention recommend individuals over age sixty-five receive immunizations against the influenza virus and pneumococcal disease;

    (c) The influenza virus and pneumococcal disease have been identified as leading causes of death for citizens over age sixty-five;

    (d) Immunizations licensed by the food and drug administration are readily available and effective in reducing and preventing the severity of the influenza virus and pneumococcal disease in people over age sixty-five;

    (e) All types of long-term care facilities operating in the state are appropriate locations to improve immunization rates among residents over age sixty-five; and

    (f) Employees of long-term care facilities should be immunized against influenza and pneumococcal disease to prevent the spread of these diseases to the frail and elderly residents of long-term care facilities.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 74.39 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) Long-term care facilities shall:

    (a) Provide access on-site or make available elsewhere for all employees and residents to obtain the influenza and pneumococcal immunizations on an annual basis;

    (b) Require that each resident, or the resident's legal representative, upon admission to the facility, be informed verbally and in writing of the benefits of receiving the influenza virus immunization and the pneumococcal pneumonia immunization;

    (c) Inform all employees, verbally and in writing, at the time of hire, of the benefits of receiving the influenza virus and pneumococcal pneumonia immunization.

    (2) As used in this section, "long-term care facility" includes nursing homes licensed under chapter 18.51 RCW, boarding homes licensed under chapter 18.20 RCW, and adult family homes licensed under chapter 70.128 RCW.

    (3) The department of social and health services shall adopt rules to implement this section.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  This act may be known and cited as the long-term care resident and employee immunization act of 2001.

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