HOUSE BILL REPORT
SB 5240
As Reported By House Committee On:
Health Care
Title: An act relating to birth defects surveillance.
Brief Description: Repealing the requirement to maintain a registry for handicapped children.
Sponsors: Senators Costa, Deccio and Winsley; by request of Department of Health.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Health Care: 3/18/99, 4/1/99 [DP].
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Brief Summary of Bill
$Repeals obsolete and redundant language regarding birth defect data collection, which will improves collection process.
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Cody, Democratic Co-Chair; Parlette, Republican Co-Chair; Pflug, Republican Vice Chair; Schual-Berke, Democratic Vice Chair; Alexander; Boldt; Campbell; Conway; Edmonds; Mulliken and Ruderman.
Staff: Bill Hagens (786-7131).
Background:
In Washington state, birth defects occur in about 2.6 percent of live births. These conditions account for 20 to 30 percent of all infant deaths, and numerous cases of disability. While advances in science have contributed to the prevention of birth defects and its related disabilities, the Department of Health (DOH) continues to need accurate data to plan and provide services for these children.
Birth defects currently are reported to the agency under the Registry for Handicapped Children (RCW 70.58.300 and 70.58.310). However, the state's notifiable conditions regulations makes the registry statute redundant.
Presently, the following are reported:
Anencephaly Spina bifida Cleft lip with/without cleft palate
Cleft palate Limb reduction defects hypospadias (2nd and 3rd
Gastroschisis Omphalocele degree)
Cerebral palsy Fetal alcohol syndrome Down syndrome
Summary of Bill:
The bill repeals redundant statutes relying upon existing rules for authority.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: None.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: None.