SENATE BILL REPORT

EHB 814

BYRepresentatives Lewis, Braddock, Brooks, Bumgarner, O'Brien, J. Williams, Patrick, S. Wilson, L. Smith, Winsley, Ballard, Nealey, Valle, Amondson, Kremen, Moyer, Padden and Schoon

Requiring notification when a person dies from an infectious or communicable disease.

House Committe on Health Care

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 26, 1987; March 31, 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 3, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS, MARCH 31, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Presently there is no requirement that attending physicians, health facility officials or family members notify morticians that a person died of infectious disease.

Certain infectious diseases, e.g. acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and hepatitis, can continue to be a threat to public health for a period after the infected person is dead.

SUMMARY:

Attending physicians, health facility administrators, or family members are required to notify the mortician that the deceased had been diagnosed as having an infectious or communicable disease, if that person knows or reasonably should have known of such diagnosis.

Infectious or communicable diseases are defined as:  infectious hepatitis; tuberculosis; rabies; tularemia; herpes simplex; acquired immune deficiency syndrome; viral hemorrhagic fever; gonorrhea; syphilis; Brikett's lymphoma; and Kaposi's sarcoma.

Information transmitted shall be privileged and confidential.

Willful violation of this act shall be a misdemeanor.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

The striking amendment directs the State of Board of Health to develop rules, by January 1, 1988, regarding the handling of human remains with infectious diseases and the transport of infected human remains to the funeral home.

Fiscal Note:    available

Senate Committee - Testified:   Brewer Thompson, Mountain View Funeral Home; Robb Menaul, WSHA: Clifton Anderson, Washington State Funeral Association; John Beare, DSHS