HB 3081-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

Declares an intent to establish a policy with the goal of ensuring that the health and well-being of both infants in foster care and the families providing for their care are protected.

Requires the department of health to develop recommendations concerning evidence-based practices for testing for blood-borne pathogens of children under one year of age who have been placed in out-of-home care and shall identify the specific pathogens for which testing is recommended.

Requires the department to report to the appropriate committees of the legislature on the recommendations developed in accordance with this act by January 1, 2005.

Requires that, upon any placement, the department of social and health services shall inform each out-of-home care provider if the child to be placed in that provider's care is infected with a blood-borne pathogen, and shall identify the specific blood-borne pathogen for which the child was tested if known by the department.

Provides that all out-of-home care providers licensed by the department shall receive training related to blood-borne pathogens, including prevention, transmission, infection control, treatment, testing, and confidentiality.

Provides that any disclosure of information related to HIV must be in accordance with RCW 70.24.105.

Provides that the department of health shall identify by rule the term "blood-borne pathogen" as used in this act.