BILL REQ. #:  H-4212.1 

Read first time 01/25/08.   Referred to Committee on Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness.

     AN ACT Relating to antiviral medication; and adding a new section to chapter 38.52 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 38.52 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The department shall acquire and maintain a ready supply of antiviral medication to ensure the availability of a full course of therapy to twenty-five percent of the population of the state during an epidemic emergency. In determining the necessary quantity for the supply, the department shall consider any federal supplies of antiviral medications that have been allocated to the state to offset the amount that the department must acquire and maintain.
     (2) The reserve supply of antiviral medication may only be accessed and distributed to the public upon the governor's declaration that there is a severe outbreak of influenza or other infectious disease.