SENATE BILL REPORT
SSB 6223
BYSenate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senators Rinehart, Bailey, Bender, Gaspard, Metcalf, Lee, Murray, Talmadge and Craswell;by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction)
Changing the frequency of scoliosis screening in public schools.
Senate Committee on Education
Senate Hearing Date(s):January 31, 1990; February 1, 1990
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6223 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Bailey, Chairman; Lee, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Bender, Benitz, Craswell, Gaspard, Metcalf, Murray, Rinehart.
Senate Staff:Susan Mosborg (786-7439)
February 9, 1990
AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 8, 1990
BACKGROUND:
Scoliosis is a lateral curvature of the spine, commonly appearing in adolescence, which can develop into a permanent, crippling disability if left untreated.
Current statute directs the Superintendent of Public Instruction to provide for and require yearly scoliosis screening of all public school students in grades 5 through 10. It is suggested that reducing the frequency of screening would save resources yet provide for adequate detection of the condition.
SUMMARY:
The frequency of required scoliosis screening in the public schools is reduced from yearly screening of all students in grades 5 through 10, to yearly screening of all students in grades 5, 7 and 9, and transfer students in grades 6 and 8.
A provision concerning waiving the screening requirement for grades 9 and 10 in the school years 1985-86 and 1986-87 is repealed.
Appropriation: none
Revenue: none
Fiscal Note: available
Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.
Senate Committee - Testified: FOR: Judy Maire, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; Bob Davis, M.D., Department of Health; Mary Jane Johnson, School Nurse Organization of Washington; Mike Rhyerd, National Scoliosis Foundation