HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1058

                    As Passed Legislature

                       April 21, 1993

Title:  An act relating to public hospital districts.

Brief Description:  Providing for public hospital district chaplains.

Sponsors:  Representatives Franklin, Zellinsky, Campbell, Kremen, Padden and L. Johnson.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Local Government, January 28, 1993, DP;

  Passed House, February 8, 1993, 58-37;

  Amended by Senate;

  Passed Legislature, April 21, 1993, 60-34.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 8 members:  Representatives H. Myers, Chair; Bray, Vice Chair; Edmondson, Ranking Minority Member; Reams, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Horn; Rayburn; Van Luven; and Zellinsky.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 4 members:  Representatives Dunshee; R. Fisher; Romero; and Springer.

Staff:  Steve Lundin (786-7127).

Background:  Public hospital districts are authorized to provide a variety of health related facilities and services.

Summary of Bill:  Public hospital districts are authorized to employ chaplains for their hospitals, health care facilities, and hospice programs.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  January 1, 1994, if a related constitutional amendment is approved by the voters.

Testimony For:  The auditor indicates that the constitution precludes hospital districts from employing chaplains.  Chaplains can play an essential role in both the healing process and dying.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  (pro):  Representative Franklin, prime sponsor; and Greg Vigdor, Washington State Hospital Association.