SENATE BILL REPORT
ESHB 1531
As of March 19, 2025
Title: An act relating to preserving the ability of public officials to address communicable diseases using scientifically proven measures to control the spread of such diseases.
Brief Description: Preserving the ability of public officials to address communicable diseases.
Sponsors: House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Bronoske, Berry, Ramel, Reed, Duerr, Kloba, Macri, Parshley, Peterson, Ormsby, Pollet, Scott, Doglio, Hill and Simmons).
Brief History: Passed House: 3/8/25, 58-35.
Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 3/21/25.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires that public health responses to communicable diseases be guided by the best available science. 
  • Requires state and local officials to implement and promote evidence-based appropriate measures to control the spread of communicable diseases, including immunizations and vaccines. 
  • Prohibits the state and its political subdivisions from enacting statutes, ordinances, rules, or policies that bar the implementation and promotion of such measures.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE
Staff: Rohan Bhattacharjee (786-7534)
Background:

Public health activities, including public health responses to communicable diseases, are carried out at the state and local level by the Department of Health, the Washington State Board of Health, and local health jurisdictions.

 

The secretary of health is required to investigate outbreaks and epidemics of diseases and advise local health officers on measures to control such outbreaks and epidemics.

 

Local health jurisdictions are required to prevent the spread of dangerous, contagious, or infectious diseases and take measures necessary to promote the public health. Local health jurisdictions are also required to institute disease control measures, including testing, counseling, treatment, and vaccination.
Summary of Bill:

It is the policy of the state that public health responses to address communicable diseases be guided by the best available science on the safety and efficacy of evidence-based measures to control the spread of such diseases, including immunizations and vaccines.

 

State and local officials must, within available resources, implement and promote evidence-based, appropriate measures to control the spread of communicable diseases, including immunizations and vaccines.

 

The state and its political subdivisions may not enact statutes, ordinances, rules, or policies that prohibit the implementation and promotion of such measures. Any such statute, ordinance, rule, or policy is declared null and void.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.