SB 6197-S - DIGEST
(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 2ND SUB)

Declares an intent to create the healthiest state in the nation by striving to eliminate health disparities in people of color. In meeting the intent of this act, the legislature creates the governor's interagency council on health disparities.

Directs the council to promote and facilitate communication, coordination, and collaboration among relevant state agencies and communities of color to address health disparities. The council shall conduct public hearings, inquiries, studies, or other forms of information gathering to understand how the actions of state government ameliorate or contribute to health disparities. Within the limits of their resources, all state agencies must cooperate with the council's efforts.

Directs the governor's interagency council on health disparities to consider in its deliberations an action plan for eliminating health disparities by 2012.

Requires the council to meet as often as necessary but not less than six times per calendar year. The council shall report its progress with the action plan to the governor and the legislature no later than January 15, 2008. A second report shall be presented no later than January 15, 2010, and a final report from the council shall be presented to the governor and the legislature no later than January 15, 2012.

Requires the joint committee to conduct a review of the governor's interagency coordinating council on health disparities and its functions. The review shall be substantially the same as a sunset review under chapter 43.131 RCW. The joint committee shall present its findings to appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2016.

Appropriates the sum of one hundred eighty-eight thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007, from the general fund to the department of health for allotment to the state board of health for its use in implementing this act.