1531 AMH SHMK MORI 205

HB 1531 - H AMD 504

By Representative Schmick

WITHDRAWN 03/08/2025

Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

"NEW SECTION. Sec. A new section is added to chapter 70.54 RCW to read as follows:

(1) It is the policy of the state that the primary focus of the public health system is to build and maintain the trust of the public.

(2) Consistent with the policy in subsection (1) of this section, state and local health officials must consider the impact their actions to control the spread of communicable disease will have on the public trust and may not take any actions that may have the effect of diminishing that trust."

EFFECT: Removes the provisions in the underlying bill requiring public health responses to communicable diseases to be guided by the best available science. States that it is the public policy of the state that the primary focus of the public health system is to build and maintain the trust of the public. Requires health officials to consider the impact their actions will have on the public trust and prohibits them from taking actions that may have the effect of diminishing that trust.

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