SENATE BILL REPORT

ESHB 258

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

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 18, 1987; April 1, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Wojahn, Chairman; Stratton, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Deccio, Johnson, Kiskaddon, Kreidler, Tanner.

Senate Staff:Scott Plack (786-7409)

                  April 2, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS, APRIL 1, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Public health fees are collected in order to support certain public health programs.  At present the fees for birth and death certificates do not support the entire cost of the vital records program.  The cost of food handler permits, set thirty years ago at $2.00, does not provide sufficient revenue for local health departments to provide training in food handling and preparation.

DSHS currently has no statutory authority to regulate the disclosure of vital records and ensure that confidentiality is maintained.

SUMMARY:

The fee for a copy of a vital record is increased from $6.00 to $10.00.  Duplicate copies of death certificates obtained from the local registrar are $5.00 each if ordered at the same time as the first copy.  The fee for a search where no copy is made is raised from $3.00 per hour to a flat fee of $8.00.  Two dollars from each fee paid at the local or state level shall be credited to the death investigations account.

The fee which local health departments may charge for food handler permits shall be uniform throughout the state and will be set by the the State Board of Health.  The amount set shall reflect the cost of the program and shall not be too high to prevent low-income persons from getting 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.

DSHS is granted statutory authority to regulate the disclosure of information contained in vital records for research purposes.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

The fee for certified copies of vital records is raised to $11.00 for the first copy and $6.00 for additional copies ordered at the same time.  The fees apply for certified copies issued by both the state and local registrars.  The portion of the fee dedicated to the death investigation fund is increased from $2.00 to $3.00.

Revenue:    The bill has a revenue impact.

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Bob Seeber, Restaurant Association; Thelma Struck, DSHS; Jim Goche, WACO; Barbara Hodley, King County Medical Examiners/Death Investigations Council; Robert F. Wyman, Washington State Funeral Directors Association; John Thayer, Washington State Environmental Health Directors; Dr. Bud Nicola, Seattle-King County Health Department; Dr. Bob Atwood, Yakima and Kittitas Health Departments