HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2698
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Reported by House Committee On:
Health Care & Wellness
Title: An act relating to providing discretion to the department of health with respect to federal funding for the prevention of teen pregnancy under Title V of the federal social security act.
Brief Description: Granting discretion to the department of health with respect to federal funding for the prevention of teen pregnancy.
Sponsors: Representatives Cody, Loomis, Kagi, Walsh, Kirby, Williams, Seaquist, Pedersen, Green, Appleton, Springer, Upthegrove, Hunt, Nelson, Kenney, Schual-Berke, Wood, Hudgins, Santos, Ericks, Ormsby and Rolfes.
Brief History:
Health Care & Wellness: 1/23/08, 2/4/08 [DPS].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Barlow, Green, Moeller, Pedersen, Schual-Berke and Seaquist.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 6 members: Representatives Morrell, Vice Chair; Hinkle, Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Campbell, Condotta and DeBolt.
Staff: Chris Cordes (786-7103).
Background:
As part of federal welfare reform, adopted in the Personal Responsibility and Work
Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, $50 million in funds are made available annually to
the states to be used exclusively for abstinence education for adolescents. The states request
the funding based on a statutory formula related to the number of low-income children in the
state. The states must match every $4 of federal funds with $3 of state funds. In 2007 43
states received funding, according to the Administration for Children and Families, U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services.
Washington welfare reform enacted in response to the federal law includes a statute directing
the Department of Health (DOH) to maximize federal funding for abstinence education
programs by making timely application for these federal funds. The DOH was also directed
to contract with entities qualified to provide abstinence education.
Summary of Substitute Bill:
The requirement related to maximizing federal funding for abstinence education programs is
modified. The DOH may, but is not required, to apply for abstinence education funds
through Title V Maternal and Child Health block grants made available under the federal
Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996.
The requirement for the DOH to seek and accept local matching funds and to contract with
entities qualified to provide abstinence education programs is conditioned on receipt of
federal funding.
The requirement for the DOH to work to reduce the rate of illegitimate births and abortions is
replaced with a goal to reduce the teen pregnancy rate, which should result in a reduced
abortion rate.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:
The substitute bill revises the requirement for the DOH to work to reduce the rate of
illegitimate births and abortions and replaces it with a goal to reduce the teen pregnancy rate,
which should result in a reduced abortion rate.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) It is important that the state continue to deliver HIV/AIDS prevention messages.
More than 480,000 teens have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in the United States. Lifelong
programs give information about staying safe. Abstinence-only programs can hinder that
goal because they can have a negative effect on the knowledge that teens acquire. Many
homeless youth do not have the information needed to make them safe. Abstinence only does
not work for all lifestyles. Teens need to learn responsible sex and how to be protected from
sexually transmitted diseases. The state does not need to have Title V funds to provide
science-based sex education programs.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Ania Beszterda, Lifelong Aids Alliance; Kirsten Harris-Talley, Center for Health Training; and Rosco Siragusa.