HOUSE BILL REPORT
SB 5149
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 requiring the department of health to collect current and past employment information in the cancer registry program.
Brief Description: Requiring the department of health to collect current and past employment information in the cancer registry program.
Sponsors: Senators Keiser, Becker, Kohl-Welles, Parlette, Conway and Kline.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Health Care & Wellness: 3/9/11, 3/16/11 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 10 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Jinkins, Vice Chair; Schmick, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Clibborn, Green, Harris, Kelley, Moeller and Van De Wege.
Staff: Morgan Powell (786-7119) and Chris Cordes (786-7103).
Background:
In 1991 the Department of Health (Department) established the Washington State Cancer Registry (Registry). The statutory intent of the Registry is to accurately monitor the incidence of cancer in the State of Washington for the purposes of understanding, controlling, and reducing the occurrence of cancer in this state.
The Department may authorize contractors or other designees to identify reportable cancer cases and complete cancer abstracts for patients diagnosed and treated at cancer diagnosis and treatment facilities. Cancer case information is reported to the Registry by health care facilities, independent clinical laboratories, and other principal health care providers.
The general type of cancer information reported, provided the information is available from the patient's medical records, includes: (1) patient information, including usual occupation; (2) diagnostic information; (3) first course of treatment information; and (4) other specific information. The Department may require submission of additional information from contractors or designees as needed to assess data reliability and validity.
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Summary of Bill:
A patient's usual occupation must be reported to the Registry. If the patient is retired, the primary occupation of the patient before retirement must be reported.
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This bill is in response to an investigation by a newspaper that looked into the number of cases of cancer that have occurred in the nursing profession. This bill would allow the death registry to include occupations. It is difficult to get accurate information on occupational exposures unless an individual's occupation is revealed.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Senator Keiser, prime sponsor.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.