HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2026

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      Commerce & Labor

                       Appropriations

Title:  An act relating to notice about fetal alcohol syndrome.

Brief Description:  Requiring notice about fetal alcohol syndrome.

Sponsors:  Representatives Karahalios, Wood, Leonard and Kessler.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Commerce & Labor, March 3, 1993, DPS;

Appropriations, March 5, 1993, DPS(CL-A APP).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Heavey, Chair; G. Cole, Vice Chair; Lisk, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Conway; Horn; King; Springer; and Veloria.

Staff:  Jim Kelley (786-7166).

Background:  Fetal alcohol syndrome is the third leading cause of mental retardation in the United States.  Approximately 145 babies are born in Washington each year with fetal alcohol syndrome.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The Liquor Control Board is required to post in a conspicuous place within each state liquor store a notice warning women that drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause birth defects, including fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol effects.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The required notice need not include a precise quotation in one-inch letters.  Instead, a notice is required warning women that drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause birth defects, including fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol effects.

Fiscal Note:  Requested March 1, 1993.

Appropriation:  $3,500 or as much thereof as may be necessary, from the state general fund to fund the costs of the program.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Fetal alcohol syndrome is a very serious problem.  This is nothing more than a good first step toward addressing the problem.  The Liquor Control Board can administer the bill as long as the money is provided.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Representative Karahalios, Prime Sponsor (in favor); Ken Stark, Department of Social and Health Services (in favor); and Carter Mitchell, Liquor Control Board (neutral).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report:  The substitute bill by Committee on Commerce & Labor be substituted therefor and the substitute bill as amended by Committee on Appropriations do pass.  Signed by 26 members:  Representatives Locke, Chair; Valle, Vice Chair; Silver, Ranking Minority Member; Carlson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appelwick; Ballasiotes; Basich; Cooke; Dellwo; Dorn; Dunshee; G. Fisher; Jacobsen; Lemmon; Leonard; Linville; Morton; Peery; Rust; Sehlin; Sheahan; Stevens; Talcott; Wang; Wineberry; and Wolfe.

Staff:  Beth Redfield (786-7130).

Summary of Recommendation of Committee on Appropriations Compared to Recommendation of Committee on Commerce & Labor:  The appropriation of $3,500 from the general fund to the Liquor Control Board is deleted.

Fiscal Note:  Requested March 1, 1993.

Appropriation:  Removed.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  None.