BILL REQ. #:  H-1060.1 

Read first time 01/26/09.   Referred to Committee on Health Care & Wellness.

     AN ACT Relating to programs for the prevention of unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases; amending RCW 74.12.410; adding a new section to chapter 70.54 RCW; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   It is the intent of the legislature to help people to protect themselves from unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease through programs that are evidence-based, economical, and consistent with RCW 28A.300.475, the state's healthy youth act, as existing on the effective date of this section.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 70.54 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) To reduce unintended pregnancies, state agencies may apply for sexual health education funding for programs that are medically and scientifically accurate, including, but not limited to, programs on abstinence, the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, and the prevention of unintended pregnancies. The state shall ensure that such programs:
     (a) Are evidence-based;
     (b) Use state funds cost-effectively;
     (c) Maximize the use of federal matching funds; and
     (d) Are consistent with RCW 28A.300.475, the state's healthy youth act, as existing on the effective date of this section.
     (2) As used in this section:
     (a) "Medically and scientifically accurate" has the same meaning as in RCW 28A.300.475, as existing on the effective date of this section; and
     (b) "Evidence-based" means a program that uses practices proven to the greatest extent possible through research in compliance with scientific methods to be effective and beneficial for the target population.

Sec. 3   RCW 74.12.410 and 1997 c 58 s 601 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) At time of application or reassessment under this chapter the department shall offer or contract for family planning information and assistance, including alternatives to abortion, and any other available locally based ((teen)) unintended pregnancy prevention programs, to prospective and current recipients of aid to families with dependent children.
     (2) The department shall work in cooperation with the superintendent of public instruction to reduce the rate of ((illegitimate births and abortions)) unintended pregnancies in Washington state.
     (((3) The department of health shall maximize federal funding by timely application for federal funds available under P.L. 104-193 and Title V of the federal social security act, 42 U.S.C. 701 et seq., as amended, for the establishment of qualifying abstinence education and motivation programs. The department of health shall contract, by competitive bid, with entities qualified to provide abstinence education and motivation programs in the state.
     (4) The department of health shall seek and accept local matching funds to the maximum extent allowable from qualified abstinence education and motivation programs.
     (5)(a) For purposes of this section, "qualifying abstinence education and motivation programs" are those bidders with experience in the conduct of the types of abstinence education and motivation programs set forth in Title V of the federal social security act, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 701 et seq., as amended.
     (b) The application for federal funds, contracting for abstinence education and motivation programs and performance of contracts under this section are subject to review and oversight by a joint committee of the legislature, composed of four legislative members, appointed by each of the two caucuses in each house.))

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   This act may be known and cited as the proven programs act.