SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1849

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Health & Long-Term Care, April 3, 2003

Title: An act relating to creating a list of health care providers willing to serve as volunteer resources.

Brief Description: Creating a list of health care providers willing to serve as volunteer resources during an emergency or disaster.

Sponsors: House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Bailey, Cody, Pflug, Morris, Skinner, McDonald, Ruderman, Pearson, Ahern, Schindler, Kagi, Kristiansen, Morrell, Orcutt, Darneille, Benson, Wood, Pettigrew, Newhouse, Clements, O'Brien, Linville, Moeller, Chase, Tom, Alexander, Talcott, Rockefeller, Woods and Anderson).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 3/25/03, 4/3/03 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report: Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Deccio, Chair; Winsley, Vice Chair; Brandland, Franklin, Keiser, Parlette and Thibaudeau.

Staff: Tanya Karwaki (786-7447)

Background: The Department of Health regulates 55 different types of health care professions. Currently, there are over 250,000 health care providers credentialed in these fields.

Since September 11, some have become more concerned about bioterrorism. Concern also exists regarding natural disasters and public health emergencies.

Summary of Bill: The Department of Health is authorized to ask health care professionals whether they would like to be included on a list of potential volunteers to serve in the event of a bioterrorist incident, natural disaster, public health emergency, or other emergency or disaster where health care providers are needed. The department is required to maintain the list and on request send it to local health departments, state emergency planning and response agencies, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on March 19, 2003.

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

Testimony For: This bill would aid in facilitating a state response to any such emergency event. This bill complements the state's grant from the CDC, which requires the department to generate these lists and make them available as needed. It clarifies that the department may share the information with agencies.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: John Erickson, Department of Health (pro).