SENATE BILL REPORT

ESSB 5377

BYSenate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Wojahn, Kiskaddon, Stratton, Deccio and Johnson)

Creating a department of public health and environment.

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 3, 1987

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5377 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Senate Staff:Don Sloma (786-7414)

                  March 16, 1987

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 13, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The purpose of this bill is to establish the Department of Public Health and Environment by consolidating all the current functions of the Department of Ecology (DOE) and certain public health functions of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).

In its 1986 report to the Legislature, the Joint Select Committee on Public Health included among its recommendations the establishment of a new agency that consolidates all present functions of the Department of Ecology and certain public health functions of the Department of Social and Health Services.  The focus of this recommendation was to eliminate duplication of effort between the two agencies in the area of environmental health and to place public health at a more visible level in state government.

SUMMARY:

All existing functions of DOE and the following public health functions of DSHS are consolidated into one agency, the Department of Public Health and Environment:

      Environmental health protection services, including radiation, drinking water, toxic substances, on-site sewage, recreational water contact facilities, food services sanitation, shellfish, and general environmental services;

      Personal health and protection services, including immunizations, tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases, AIDS, diabetes control, primary health care, hypertension, kidney disease, adult dental services, refugee health screening, refugee interpreter services, regional genetic services, newborn metabolic screening, sentinel birth defects, cytogenetics, communicable disease epidemiology, and chronic disease epidemiology;

      The Public Health Laboratory;

      Public health support services, including vital records, health data, and health education and information;

      A few parent and child health services, including maternal and infant health, women, infant and children's services, and family planning; and

      Abortion facility approval.

The position of state health officer is created.  The state health officer is appointed by the Secretary of Public Health and Environment.  (Present law designates the Secretary of Social and Health Services as the state health officer.  However, operationally this position has been assumed by the Director of the Division of Health within DSHS.)

Environmental health services are consolidated within the new agency.

A unit responsible for vital records and other health information is created within the new agency.

The Secretary of Public Health and Environment is required to report to the Legislature in January 1989 with an agency organizational plan and proposals for public health planning and informational systems.

Duplicative language regarding the appointment of a state health officer is deleted.

The Office of Financial Management is directed to develop a transition plan to assure that no new administrative costs are incurred through the creation of the new department.  OFM is directed to report to the Legislature in December 1988 on the implementation of the transition plan.

Powers conferred through public health statutes transferred to the new department can only be exercised in connection with those programs and activities transferred.

All powers, duties, functions, contracts and other obligations of those units transferred will remain in full force and effect.

Funds budgeted for activities transferred are to be transferred by OFM.

Staff performing transferred functions are transferred with continuing civil service protections.  Existing collective bargaining units and agreements are to remain in effect until modified by normal processes.

Fiscal Note:      available

Effective Date:July 1, 1987

Senate Committee - Testified: Robert G. Attwood, Yakima and Kittitas County Health Department; Kristin Karns, Kittitas County Health Department; John Thayer, Washington State Environmental Health Directors; Ed Larsen, Washington State Medical Association