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ENGROSSED
SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5291
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AS
AMENDED BY THE HOUSE
Passed
Legislature - 2002 Regular Session
State of Washington 57th
Legislature 2001 Regular Session
By
READ FIRST TIME 02/16/01.
Requiring
access to certain immunizations for residents of long-term care
facilities.
AN
ACT Relating to immunizations at long-term care facilities; adding a new
section to chapter 74.42 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 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 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 living in
long-term care facilities and those 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; and
(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.
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 2. A
new section is added to chapter 74.42 RCW to read as follows:
(1)
Long-term care facilities shall:
(a)
Provide access on-site or make available elsewhere for all residents to obtain
the influenza virus immunization 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, if not previously immunized
against pneumococcal disease, the benefits of the pneumococcal immunization.
(2)
As used in this section, "long-term care facility" is limited to
nursing homes licensed under chapter 18.51 RCW.
(3)
The department of social and health services shall adopt rules to implement this
section.
(4)
This section and rules adopted under this section shall not apply to nursing
homes conducted for those who rely exclusively upon treatment by nonmedical
religious healing methods, including prayer.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. This
act may be known and cited as the long-term care resident immunization act of
2002.
