Brief Description: Including a health official from a federally recognized tribe on the state board of health.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Franklin, Regala, Keiser, Eide, Rockefeller, Prentice, Thibaudeau, Jacobsen, Fairley, McAuliffe, Fraser, Sheldon, Brown, Spanel, Kline, Kohl-Welles, Shin and Esser).

Hearing Date: 2/21/06

Staff: Chris Blake (786-7392).

Background:

The Washington State Board of Health (Board) is a constitutionally created forum for the development of public health policy. The Board is authorized to recommend to the Secretary of Health means for obtaining appropriate citizen and professional involvement in all public health policy formulation. While the Board does not have any enforcement authority, it is responsible for adopting rules on such topics as drinking water quality; control of health hazards and nuisances related to waste disposal; disease prevention and control; cleanliness of facilities; and isolation and quarantine. In addition, the Board prepares a biennial state public health report that assesses the state's health status and outlines priority health goals.

The Board is composed of ten members including the Secretary of Health (Secretary), four individuals with experience in matters of health and sanitation; an elected city official and an elected county official who are members of their local boards of health; a local health officer; and two consumer representatives. All of the members, other than the Secretary, are appointed by the Governor.

In 2004, the Legislature adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 8419 which created the Joint Select Committee on Health Disparities (Committee). The Committee issued a report on health disparities in Washington on November 1, 2005. The report contained several recommendations and findings for the Legislature's consideration. Among the Committee's recommendations was that a member of the Board be designated to represent American Indian and Alaska Native populations.

Summary of Bill:

One of the appointments to the Board that is reserved for a person with experience in matters of health and sanitation must be filled by a health official from a federally recognized tribe.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on February 14, 2006.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.