S-1183.1  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 5679

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      57th Legislature     2001 Regular Session

By Senators Thibaudeau, Deccio, Franklin and Kohl‑Welles

Read first time 01/30/2001.  Referred to Committee on Health & Long‑Term Care.

Creating the HIV/AIDS prevention study committee.

    AN ACT Relating to the HIV/AIDS prevention study committee; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  (1) The legislature finds that the AIDS omnibus act of 1988 created a network of HIV/AIDS prevention efforts and programs in Washington state, establishing statewide policies, programs, and procedures surrounding HIV/AIDS prevention and other HIV/AIDS care services and programs.  Since the original passage of the AIDS omnibus act in 1988, the HIV/AIDS pandemic has changed dramatically.  Once impacting white, gay men, HIV/AIDS has increased among the young, heterosexual women, people of color, and rural communities.  Consequently, the effective management and distribution of funds and resources are necessary not only to maintain current services, but also to meet the rising demands and needs of these new populations.

    (2) The HIV/AIDS prevention study committee is established to consist of nine members.  The speaker of the senate shall appoint two members, one from each major party in the senate; the co-chairs of the house of representatives shall appoint two members, one from each major party in the house of representatives; the secretary of health shall appoint one member to represent the department of health; and the governor shall appoint four members, three of whom must represent community-based organizations.

    (3) The HIV/AIDS prevention study committee shall meet at least six times throughout 2001 at various locations around Washington.  The committee shall:

    (a) Review the goals and outcomes of HIV/AIDS prevention programs in Washington state;

    (b) Assess appropriate funding levels for the AIDS omnibus act and other HIV/AIDS prevention funding; and

    (c) Investigate the impact and interaction of HIV/AIDS prevention programs on care services and other HIV/AIDS programs.

    (4) The committee shall submit a report of its findings and propose specific recommendations to update the AIDS omnibus act to the Washington state legislature in January 2002.

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