BILL REQ. #:  S-1992.1 

READ FIRST TIME 03/02/05.   

     AN ACT Relating to removing state funding restrictions from the hepatitis C state plan; and amending RCW 70.54.360.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 70.54.360 and 2003 c 273 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The secretary of health shall design a state plan for education efforts concerning hepatitis C and the prevention and management of the disease by January 1, 2004. In developing the plan, the secretary shall consult with:
     (a) The public;
     (b) Patient groups and organizations;
     (c) Relevant state agencies that have functions that involve hepatitis C or provide services to persons with hepatitis C;
     (d) Local health departments;
     (e) Public health and clinical laboratories;
     (f) Providers and suppliers of services to persons with hepatitis C;
     (g) Research scientists;
     (h) The University of Washington; and
     (i) Relevant health care associations.
     (2) The plan shall include implementation recommendations in the following areas:
     (a) Hepatitis C virus prevention and treatment strategies for groups at risk for hepatitis C with an emphasis towards those groups that are disproportionately affected by hepatitis C, including persons infected with HIV, veterans, racial or ethnic minorities that suffer a higher incidence of hepatitis C, and persons who engage in high-risk behavior, such as intravenous drug use;
     (b) Educational programs to promote public awareness about hepatitis C and knowledge about risk factors, the value of early detection, screening, services, and available treatment options for hepatitis C, which may be incorporated in public awareness programs concerning bloodborne infections;
     (c) Education curricula for appropriate health and health-related providers covered by the uniform disciplinary act, chapter 18.130 RCW;
     (d) Training courses for persons providing hepatitis C counseling, public health clinic staff, and any other appropriate provider, which shall focus on disease prevention, early detection, and intervention;
     (e) Capacity for voluntary hepatitis C testing programs to be performed at facilities providing voluntary HIV testing under chapter 70.24 RCW;
     (f) A comprehensive model for an evidence-based process for the prevention and management of hepatitis C that is applicable to other diseases; and
     (g) Sources and availability of funding to implement the plan.
     (3) The secretary of health shall develop the state plan described in subsections (1) and (2) of this section only to the extent that((, and for as long as, federal or private funds are available for that purpose, including grants. Funding for chapter 273, Laws of 2003 shall not come from state sources)) funding is available.
     (4) The board of health may adopt rules necessary to implement subsection (2)(b) of this section.
     (5) The secretary of health shall submit the completed state plan to the legislature by January 1, 2004. After the initial state plan is submitted, the department shall update the state plan biennially and shall submit the plan to the governor and make it available to other interested parties. The update and progress reports are due December 1, 2004, and every two years thereafter.
     (6) ((The state plan recommendations described in subsection (2)(b) of this section shall be implemented by the secretary of health only to the extent that, and for as long as, federal or private funds are available for that purpose, including grants.)) State funds that are used for the implementation of the 2004 Washington state hepatitis C strategic plan shall be limited to hepatitis C prevention, education, and testing activities. Approaches to hepatitis C testing should be in venues appropriate to the target populations. State funds used for the hepatitis C strategic plan shall not supplant any current state funding directed to HIV prevention, education, and testing activities.
     (7) This section expires June 30, 2007.