HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 ESB 5522

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                       Human Services

Title:  An act relating to the use of alcohol and other drugs during pregnancy.

Brief Description:  Providing a program to reduce alcohol and drug use during pregnancy.

Sponsors:  Senators Wojahn, L. Smith, Moore, McDonald, Franklin, Deccio, Fraser, Snyder, West, Roach, Prentice, Pelz, M. Rasmussen and Erwin.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Human Services, April 1, 1993, DPA.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Leonard, Chair; Riley, Vice Chair; Cooke, Ranking Minority Member; Talcott, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Brown; Karahalios; Lisk; Padden; Patterson; Thibaudeau; and Wolfe.

Staff:  Dave Knutson (786-7146).

Background: It is widely recognized that the use of alcohol and other drugs during pregnancy can cause medical, psychological and social problems for women and infants.  There are many programs which provide primary prevention and treatment efforts.  It has been suggested that prevention efforts should also focus on identifying and assessing high risk populations where they are likely to be found.

Summary of Amended Bill: Four pilot projects are created to provide pretreatment drug and alcohol services for high risk women of child bearing age.  Two of the projects are located in public health clinics and one each in a correctional facility and a domestic violence program.

The projects include: (1) hiring certified chemical dependency counselors who will identify substance abusing pregnant women; (2) provide educational programs to women and agency staff; (3) evaluate the women's need for treatment; and (4) make referrals for treatment and advocate on the client's behalf.

Amended Bill Compared to Engrossed Substitute Bill:  The $50,000 appropriation to the Department of Social and Health Services is removed and the department is required to fund the pilot projects out of existing federal block grant funds. 

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  Drug and alcohol treatment services should be available to women in locations serving women in crisis.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Marcy Kubbol, Victoria Lombardini and Denise Salo, Seattle King County Task Force for Chemically Dependent Women; Ken Stark, Department of Social and Health Services; and Beverly Jacobson, Seattle Area Hospital Council.