H-1116.3  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 1890

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     1999 Regular Session

By Representatives Cody, Schual‑Berke, Campbell, Edwards, Conway, Dunn and Mulliken

Read first time 02/09/1999.  Referred to Committee on Health Care.

Regulating the use of allergenic latex in health care facilities.

    AN ACT Relating to regulating the use of allergenic latex in health care facilities; and adding a new section to chapter 43.70 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 43.70 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) For the purposes of this section, "health care facility" has the same meaning as set forth in RCW 48.43.005.

    (2) Effective January 1, 2000, the use of powder latex products in health care facilities is prohibited.  Health care facilities shall establish, upon the recommendations of the department of health, written policies on methods to prevent latex allergic reactions through the use of low-protein latex products.

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