HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2613

As Passed House:

February 15, 2002

Title:  An act relating to eye banks.

Brief Description:  Repealing state regulation of eye banks.

Sponsors:  By Representatives Darneille and Cody; by request of Department of Health.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Health Care:  2/1/02, 2/7/02 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/14/02, 87-0.

Brief Summary of Bill

$The authority of the Department of Health to license eye banks is repealed.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Schual‑Berke, Vice Chair; Campbell, Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Ballasiotes, Benson, Conway, Darneille, Edwards, Ruderman and Skinner.

Staff:  John Welsh (786‑7133).

Background:

By law, in any case where a patient is in need of corneal tissue for a transplantation, corneal tissue may be provided by eye banks licensed by the Secretary of the Department of Health under rules promulgated by the department.

Summary of Bill:

The authority of the Department of Health to license eye banks is repealed.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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

Testimony For:  The repeal of the department=s authority to license eye banks is a budget reduction.  The Federal Trade Commission already regulates eye banks so the public health and safety are unaffected.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Gary Bennett, Department of Health.