SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6173

BYSenators Kiskaddon, Wojahn, Deccio, Stratton, Johnson and Barr

Creating a department of health.

Senate Committee on Health Care & Corrections

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 1, 1988; February 4, 1988

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6173 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Deccio, Chairman; Johnson, Vice Chairman; Niemi, Smith, West, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Don Sloma (786-7414)

                  February 5, 1988

AS OF REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & CORRECTIONS, FEBRUARY 4, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The purpose of this bill is to establish the Department of Health by transferring certain public health functions from 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 to place public health at a more visible level in state government.

SUMMARY:

All existing public health functions of DSHS are transferred into the Department of Health:

      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 Secretary of Health is designated.  The secretary is the state health officer unless he/she does not meet minimum educational achievement and vocational requirements.  In such case, the secretary shall appoint a person qualified to advise the secretary on medical or public health matters.

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

The secretary is required to report to the Legislature in January 1990 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 1989 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.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The following children's health programs now administered by DSHS under their general authority are transferred to the new Department of Health:  dental services, adolescent pregnancy services, high priority infant tracking, early intervention parenting education and perinatal regionalization.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Effective Date:July 1, 1988

Senate Committee - Testified: Senator Kiskaddon, prime sponsor (for); Representative Brooks (for); Charles Tressler, Washington State Public Health Association (for); John Thayer, State Environmental Health Directors (for); Willa Fisher, M.D. (for); Robert Atwood, Yakima and Kittitas Counth Health Departments (for); George Schneider, Washington State Medical Association (for); Ed Larson, Washington State Medical Association (for); Mary Selecky, Local Public Health (for); Tom Milne, Local Public Health (for); Jule Sugarman, Secretary, DSHS (con)