BILL REQ. #:  H-3177.1 

Read first time 04/13/09.   Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

     AN ACT Relating to creating the universal vaccine purchase account; and adding a new section to chapter 43.70 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 43.70 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The universal vaccine purchase account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. Receipts from private and public sources for the purpose of increasing access to vaccines for children must be deposited into the account. Expenditures from the account must be used for the purchase of vaccines, at no cost to health care providers in Washington, to administer to children under nineteen years old who are not eligible to receive vaccines at no cost through federal programs. The account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW, but an appropriation is not required for expenditures.
     (2) The department shall determine which vaccines shall be purchased with funds available in the universal vaccine purchase account. The selection of vaccines shall be based on the sufficiency of amounts available in the account, the significance of the vaccine to the health of children receiving the vaccine and those who may not be vaccinated, and any recommendations of state or federal immunization expert committees.
     (3) The department shall coordinate purchasing decisions through federal programs that receive discounts for the purchase of large quantities of vaccines.