HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1488

As Passed Legislature

Title: An act relating to updating the authority of the state board of health.

Brief Description: Updating the authority of the state board of health.

Sponsors: Representatives Jinkins, Schmick, Cody, Hinkle, Moeller and Roberts; by request of Board of Health.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Health Care & Wellness: 1/31/11, 2/3/11 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/14/11, 93-0.

Passed Senate: 3/28/11, 47-0.

Passed Legislature.

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Jinkins, Vice Chair; Schmick, Ranking Minority Member; Hinkle, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Clibborn, Green, Harris, Kelley, Moeller and Van De Wege.

Staff: Chris Blake (786-7392).

Background:

The Washington State Board of Health (Board) is a constitutionally created forum for the development of public health policy. The Board is authorized to recommend to the Secretary of Health (Secretary) means for obtaining appropriate citizen and professional involvement in all public health policy formulation. While the Board does not have any enforcement authority, it is responsible for adopting rules on such topics as drinking water quality; control of health hazards and nuisances related to waste disposal; disease prevention and control; cleanliness of facilities; and isolation and quarantine. In addition, the Board prepares a biennial State Public Health Report that assesses the state's health status and outlines priority health goals.The Board is composed of 10 members including the Secretary, four individuals with experience in matters of health and sanitation; an elected city official and an elected county official who are members of their local boards of health; a local health officer; and two consumer representatives. All of the members, other than the Secretary, are appointed by the Governor.

Summary of Bill:

The requirement that the Washington State Board of Health (Board) convene regional forums to gather citizen input on public health issues is removed. The requirement that the Board prepare the State Public Health Report every two years is eliminated.

The Board's authority to adopt rules relating to solid and liquid waste, and standards and procedures for design, construction, and operation of solid waste collection, treatment, and disposal facilities is limited to rules and standards regarding the disposal of human and animal excreta and animal remains.

The Board's authority to adopt rules controlling public health as related to environmental conditions in institutions and places of work is eliminated.

A reference to the Department of Social and Health Services as the entity responsible for adopting rules necessary to allow the state to participate in federal public health programs is changed to the Department of Health and the Board.

The requirement that the Board approve all contracts of local health departments that involve the sale or purchase of health services is eliminated.

The Board's responsibilities are repealed as they relate to:

• providing grant-in-aid to local health jurisdictions to assist with the cost of general operations;

• redistributing federal funding to "promote the hygiene and welfare of maternity and infancy;" and

• adopting rules providing services to disabled children.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This is a clean up bill and allows for more efficiency on the part of the Washington State Board of Health (Board) by combining several reports. This clarifies the Board's authority in several cases in which there are other agencies enforcing programs on similar issues.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Jinkins, prime sponsor; and Craig McLaughlin, Washington State Board of Health.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.