Brief Description: Providing information about the human papillomavirus disease and vaccine.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Darneille, Kenney, Dickerson, Hankins, Linville, Cody, Roberts, Appleton, Schual-Berke, Walsh, Santos, Wallace, Haigh, Simpson, Green, Clibborn, Warnick, Rolfes, Morrell, Pettigrew, Bailey, Lantz, Eddy, Sommers, Kessler, Kagi, Skinner, McDonald, Chase, Hudgins, Hasegawa, Pedersen, Ericks, Goodman and Moeller).

House Committee on Health Care & Wellness
Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

Background:

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the name of a group of viruses that includes more than 100 strains or types. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 30 of these viruses are sexually transmitted. These viruses can infect various parts of the body, including the genital areas of men and women and the linings of women's vagina and cervix. The CDC reports that most people who become infected will not have symptoms, but some will develop genital warts or pre-cancerous changes in the infected body part. However, about 10 of the 30 identified genital HPV types can lead, in rare cases, to development of cervical cancer. The CDC reports indicate that persistent infection with high-risk types of HPV is the main risk factor for cervical cancer. For 2006, the American Cancer Society estimated that 9,700 American women would develop invasive cervical cancer and that about 3,700 women would die from the disease.

In 2006, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (Committee) recommended the first vaccine developed to prevent cervical cancer caused by certain types of HPV. According to the Committee, the vaccine protects against four HPV types which cause about 70 percent of cervical cancers and 90 percent of genital warts, but does not treat existing HPV infections, genital warts, precancers, or cancers. The federal Food and Drug Administration has licensed the vaccine for use in females ages nine to 26 years.

This HPV vaccine is given in a series of three vaccinations over a six-month period at a retail cost of $360. The Committee recommended the vaccine for 11 to 12 year-old girls and for 13 to 26 year-old girls and women who have not received or completed the vaccine series.

Summary:

At the beginning of every school year, starting with sixth grade entry, all public schools in the state must provide parents and guardians with information about HPV disease and its vaccine. The information must include:

• the disease's causes and symptoms and where more information and vaccinations may be obtained; and
• current recommendations from the federal CDC regarding the vaccine and where the vaccine can be received.

Private schools must notify parents that information prepared by the Department of Health (DOH) is available on HPV diseases.

The DOH must prepare the informational materials and consult with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

These provisions do not require the DOH to provide the HPV vaccination to children or create a private right of action.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   73   22
Senate   48   0   (Senate amended)
House   76   18   (House concurred)

Effective: July 22, 2007