HB 1281-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

Declares an intent to assist children in the care of kin to access appropriate medical services.

Finds that children being raised by kin have faced barriers to medical care because their kinship caregivers have not been able to verify that they are the identified primary caregivers of these children. Such barriers pose an especially significant challenge to kinship caregivers in dealing with health professionals when children are left in their care.

Declares an intent to assist kinship caregivers in accessing appropriate medical care to meet the needs of a child in their care by permitting such responsible adults who are providing care to a child to give informed consent to medical care.

Provides that the health care provider or health care facility where services are rendered shall be immune from suit in any action, civil or criminal, or from professional or other disciplinary action when such reliance is based on a declaration signed under penalty of perjury pursuant to RCW 9A.72.085 stating that the adult person is a relative responsible for the health care of the minor patient under (a)(v) of this act.