S-2293               _______________________________________________

                                         SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 6048

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance (originally sponsored by Senator von Reichbauer)

Read first time 3/1/89.

AN ACT Relating to HIV testing for coverage under Title 48 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 70.24 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 70.24 RCW to read as follows:

          Rules adopted by the board of health pertaining to HIV counseling and testing shall not apply where such testing is administered as part of an application for coverage authorized under Title 48 RCW.  An applicant shall be advised prior to testing that an HIV test will be administered and shall be provided written information explaining the nature, purpose, and potential ramifications of HIV testing.  If an applicant tests positive for HIV, the insurer shall offer the applicant a referral to an appropriate public health service agency.  HIV testing for these purposes shall be regulated by rules adopted by the insurance commissioner.