Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Education Committee

HB 2708

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Establishing a work group on school-based health centers.

Sponsors: Representatives Stonier, Riccelli, Harris, Robinson, Leavitt, Senn, Pettigrew, Macri, Appleton, Davis, Tharinger, Pollet and Ormsby.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Directs the Department of Health to establish a 27-member work group on school-based health centers.

  • Establishes membership and duties for the work group, including reporting findings and recommendations to the Governor and the appropriate committees of the Legislature by December 1, 2020.

Hearing Date: 1/27/20

Staff: Ethan Moreno (786-7386).

Background:

Department of Health.

The Department of Health (DOH) administers various programs and services that promote public health through disease and injury prevention, immunization, newborn screening, professional and health care facility licensing, and public education. The DOH is also involved the promotion of safe and healthy schools, including duties related to environmental health, immunization, and sexual health education.

School-Based Health Centers.

Washington statutes include numerous requirements related to protecting and promoting student health, but state law does not include provisions governing school-based health centers (SBHCs). However, numerous SBHCs have been established in Washington's public schools, including in most Seattle public middle and high schools.

Seattle Public Schools indicates that services provided at an SBHC of the district are available to all students, regardless of ability to pay, although a student's insurance may be billed for provided services. Services provided at these SBHCs include immunizations, sports physicals, prescriptions, reproductive healthcare, mental health counseling, lab tests, and nutrition counseling. Families must enroll their student to receive most services at an SBHC of the district, but students may enroll themselves for confidential health services.

Summary of Bill:

The DOH is directed to establish a 27-member work group on the SBHCs. The DOH must appoint one representative to the work group from a list of specified state agencies and private entities, examples of which include:

The work group is directed to assess different models currently used for establishing, operating, and funding SBHCs, and to make recommendations for:

The work group must meet at least four times and report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the appropriate committees of the Legislature by December 1, 2020.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 24, 2020.

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