BILL REQ. #:  S-1761.1 

Read first time 02/17/09.   Referred to Committee on Health & Long-Term Care.

     AN ACT Relating to improving data on childhood immunizations; and adding a new chapter to Title 70 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The department of health is authorized to create an immunization registry program for children ages zero to eighteen residing in Washington state and to adopt rules to implement the program.
     (2) The department, in developing the immunization registry program, at a minimum, must create a registry that allows health care providers to access patient information regarding immunization history in a shared, secure database. The department must also develop materials to provide information about immunizations to parents.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The department of health shall require, by rule, any physician licensed under chapter 18.71 RCW, physician assistant licensed under chapter 18.71A RCW, or registered nurse, advanced registered nurse, or licensed practical nurse under chapter 18.79 RCW to use the immunization registry program and record all essential information involving any immunization delivered to a child.
     (2) The department may only require physicians or physician assistants to report immunizations recommended in the child and adolescent immunization schedules published by the federal department of health and human services.
     (3) The parent of a child receiving an immunization must have the ability to exempt their child from participation in the immunization registry without cause.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   Sections 1 and 2 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 70 RCW.