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                                           ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL NO. 814

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State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

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

Read first time 2/11/87 and referred to Committee on Health Care.

AN ACT Relating to infectious diseases; adding a new section to chapter 70.54 RCW; and prescribing penalties.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 70.54 RCW to read as follows:

          (1) As used in this section, "infectious or communicable disease" includes the following:

          (a) Infectious hepatitis;

          (b) Tuberculosis;

          (c) Rabies;

          (d) Tularemia;

          (e) Herpes simplex;

          (f) Acquired immune deficiency syndrome;

          (g) Viral hemorrhagic fever;

          (h) Gonorrhea;

          (i) Syphilis;

          (j) Brikett's lymphoma; and

          (k) Kaposi's sarcoma.

          (2) When a person who has been diagnosed as having an infectious or communicable disease dies in a hospital or other health care facility, the attending physician or other responsible officer if such person or officer knows or reasonably should have known of such diagnosis, shall prepare a written notification describing the disease to accompany the body when the body is picked up for disposition.

          (3) When a person dies outside of a hospital or health care facility and without an attending physician, any family member or person making arrangements for the disposition of the dead body who knows that the dead person had been diagnosed as having an infectious or communicable disease at the time of death shall make known such disease to accompany the body when the body is picked up for disposition.

          (4) Any person who picks up or transports a dead body for disposition and who has been notified pursuant to subsection (2) or (3) of this section shall present such notification accompanying the dead body to any embalmer, funeral director, or other person taking possession of the dead body.

          (5) Information regarding a deceased's infectious or communicable disease contained in a notification required under this section shall be privileged and confidential and may be disclosed only if the disclosure is required under state or federal laws.

          (6) Any person having duties imposed upon him or her under subsection (2), (3), or (4) of this section who knowingly refuses or omits to perform such duties shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable in accordance with RCW 9A.20.021.