FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 258

                                  C 223 L 87

BYHouse Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Braddock, Brooks, Lewis, Moyer, Lux, D. Sommers, Sprenkle and Unsoeld; by request of Department of Social and Health Services)

Changing provisions relating to public health fees.

House Committe on Health Care

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Public health fees are authorized to support certain public health programs.  However, the statutory fees for birth and death certificates do not cover the entire cost of the vital records program.  The fee for obtaining a food handler permit, set at $2 in 1957, does not provide sufficient revenue for local health departments to provide training in food handling and preparation.

SUMMARY:

The fee for a copy of a vital record is increased from $6 to $11.  Duplicate copies of death certificates may be obtained for $6 each if ordered at the same time as the first copy.  One dollar of the increase is dedicated to the Death Investigations Account.  The fee for a record search, where no copy is made, is raised from $3 to $8.  Local registrars will charge the same fee amounts as the state.  Two dollars from each fee paid at the local or state level will be credited to the Death Investigations Account.

The fee that local health departments may charge for food handler permits must be uniform throughout the state and will be set by the State Board of Health.  The amount set must reflect the cost of the program but may not be too high to prevent low-income persons from obtaining a permit.  Initial permits will be valid for two years and renewed permits valid for five years.

Temporary food establishments, operating for less than 21 days, must require the operator or person in charge to obtain a food handler permit.  Other food handlers at temporary food establishments need not obtain a food handler permit.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 96   0

      Senate    35    10(Senate amended)

      House 98   0(House concurred)

EFFECTIVE:July 26, 1987