SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6458

BYSenators Wojahn, Niemi, Bauer, West, Rasmussen and Sutherland

Pertaining to the use of controlled substances and alcohol during pregnancy.

Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 23, 1990; February 1, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass and refer to Committee on Ways & Means.

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

Senate Staff:Gregory M. Miller (786-7784)

                  February 2, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE, FEBRUARY 1, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The use of alcohol and nonprescription drugs during and immediately after pregnancy is substantial and increasing at an epidemic rate throughout the state.  Prenatal exposure to such substances is harmful to both the woman and the resulting child.  It has large social and financial impacts on the individuals involved, their local communities, and the state.  There are currently no proven effective methods for preventing such use.  There is a need to develop effective prevention strategies at both the state and local levels for protecting those not yet affected and future generations, as well as the community at large.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Health's Division of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention will develop and promote statewide public health prevention and education strategies to address substance use during pregnancy.  It will promote similar strategies at the local level by funding and giving technical assistance to four local pilot projects.  The department and pilot project will coordinate efforts with state and federal programs and resources, including community mobilization efforts.  The department will hold an annual statewide conference on local and state prevention strategies.  The department will evaluate the projects at least twice, monitor other prevention strategies not part of the pilot projects, and coordinate its efforts with a school of public policy at a public university.

Four local pilot projects are established for up to two years.  The primary goal of each project is to develop a community prevention and education strategy based on local resources.  Applications must be from local health departments or local health organizations that promote public health.  Limited funding is provided of up to $20,000 for up to 50 percent of each project's costs.  The department will provide an additional $2,500 per project year for copying or duplication costs.  The local projects may use other grant moneys in their portion of funding.  At least 50 percent of each project director's time must be devoted to the project.  Local cooperation is required through advisory committees or written agreements.  Participants will include representatives of local law enforcement, education, courts, treatment agencies, and media. Pilot projects will participate in statewide activities, provide quarterly progress reports to the department, give the department specific data on the project, and share information with other pilot projects. 

The department will make an interim report to the Governor and the House and Senate committees on health by September 15, 1991, and a final report and recommendations on state and local roles and any proposed policy changes by October 1, 1992. 

The department and the pilot projects will also monitor circumstances when pregnant women are prevented from receiving treatment and what changes should be made to insure treatment is available without delay.

Appropriation:    $150,000 state general fund

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Pat Wearn, Tacoma General Hospital (pro); Dr. Raymond J. McGroarty; Priscilla Lisicich, Safe Streets Campaign, Pierce Co. (pro); Kathleen Eussen, Community Health Nursing Directors of WA (pro); Ken Stark, DASA/DSHS (con); Cynthia Shurtleff, Child Mom Partnership (pro); Susie Tracy, WSMA (pro); Dr. Jon Almquist (pro)