HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 5478

As Passed House ‑ Amended:

March 5, 2002

Title:  An act relating to lead‑based paint activities.

Brief Description:  Reducing childhood lead exposure.

Sponsors:  By Senators Franklin, Winsley, Prentice, Shin, Costa, Eide, T. Sheldon, Fairley, Jacobsen, Thibaudeau, B. Sheldon, Regala, Kline, Kohl‑Welles, Spanel, McAuliffe, Fraser and Snyder.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Health Care:  2/25/02, 2/28/02 [DPA].

Floor Activity:

Passed House ‑ Amended: 3/5/02, 96-0.

Brief Summary of Bill

(As Amended by House)

$The Department of Health is required to administer an education program utilizing federal funds to reduce childhood exposure to lead in residential settings.

$If the department does not obtain federal funds in the current biennium, the educational program is not required.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended. 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:

There is concern that families in older housing are not aware of the dangers of lead poisoning, that they do not know how to detect and prevent existing lead hazards, or how to control lead dust while doing their own remodeling.

Summary of Amended Bill:

There is an expression of legislative intent that public health hazards associated with environmental lead exposure represent a significant and preventable public health problem, and are especially harmful to children, fetuses, and adults of child-bearing age.  

The Department of Health is directed to establish an education program to reduce childhood exposure to lead in residential settings.  The priority is on older housing.  The department is directed to seek and use federal funds for administering the program.

The department is not required to administer the educational program if federal funds are not obtained in the current biennium.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date of Amended Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.  However, the bill is null and void unless funded in the budget.

Testimony For:  The public should be made aware of the health hazards of environmental lead exposure.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  (In support) Senator Franklin, prime sponsor.

(Concerns) Maryanne Guichard, Department of Health.