HOUSE BILL REPORT
SB
5241
As Reported By House Committee on:
Local Government
Title: An act relating to public hospital districts.
Brief Description: Providing for public hospital district chaplains.
Sponsor(s): Senators Newhouse, Vognild, Hayner, Gaspard, McCaslin and McMullen.
Brief History:
Reported by House Committee on:
Local Government, April 5, 1991, DPA.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 15 members: Representatives Haugen, Chair; Cooper, Vice Chair; Ferguson, Ranking Minority Member; Mitchell, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bray; Edmondson; Franklin; Horn; Nealey; Nelson; Rayburn; Roland; Wood; Wynne; and Zellinsky.
Staff: Steve Lundin (786-7127).
Background: Public hospital districts are authorized to provide a variety of health related facilities and services.
Summary of Amended Bill: Public hospital districts are authorized to employ chaplains for their hospitals, health care facilities, and hospice programs.
This authorization is effective only if a constitutional amendment is approved authorizing the Legislature to permit hospital districts to employ chaplains.
Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill: A one sentence, new section authorizes public hospital districts to hire chaplains, rather than adding two words to a six page long section of law.
A section is added providing an effective date of January 1, 1991, if a constitutional amendment is approved authorizing hospital districts to employ chaplains.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date of Amended Bill: Immediately after the constitutional amendment is approved authorizing the Legislature to permit hospital districts to employ chaplains.
Testimony For: The auditor indicates that the constitution precludes hospital districts from employing chaplains. Chaplains can plan an essential role in both the healing process and dying.
Testimony Against: None.
Witnesses: (Pro): Greg Vigdor, Washington State Hospital Association; and Hack Yador, Pierce County Sheriffs Department.