SB 6195-S2 - DIGEST
(AS OF SENATE 2ND READING 2/13/06)

Finds that people of color experience significant disparities from the general population in education, employment, healthy living conditions, access to health care, and other social determinants of health. The legislature intends that state government policy leaders, program managers, and staff increase their awareness of actions they take or that they contemplate taking that contribute to health disparities.

Declares that it shall be the policy of the state of Washington to address health disparities in communities of color by creating an action plan and statewide policy to include health impact assessments that measure and address other social determinants of health that lead to disparities as well as the contributing factors of health that can have broad impacts on improving status, health literacy, physical activity, and nutrition.

Requires the state board, in collaboration with the council, to complete health impact assessments, in collaboration with the council, and with assistance that shall be provided by any state agency of which the board makes a request. The state board may limit the number of health impact assessments it produces to retain quality while operating within its available resources.