SENATE BILL REPORT
EHB 814
BYRepresentatives Lewis, Braddock, Brooks, Bumgarner, O'Brien, J. Williams, Patrick, S. Wilson, L. Smith, Winsley, Ballard, Nealey, Valle, Amondson, Kremen, Moyer, Padden and Schoon
Requiring notification when a person dies from an infectious or communicable disease.
House Committe on Health Care
Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections
Senate Hearing Date(s):March 26, 1987; March 31, 1987
Majority Report: Do pass as amended.
Signed by Senators Wojahn, Chairman; Stratton, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Deccio, Johnson, Kiskaddon, Kreidler, Tanner.
Senate Staff:Scott Plack (786-7409)
April 3, 1987
AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS, MARCH 31, 1987
BACKGROUND:
Presently there is no requirement that attending physicians, health facility officials or family members notify morticians that a person died of infectious disease.
Certain infectious diseases, e.g. acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and hepatitis, can continue to be a threat to public health for a period after the infected person is dead.
SUMMARY:
Attending physicians, health facility administrators, or family members are required to notify the mortician that the deceased had been diagnosed as having an infectious or communicable disease, if that person knows or reasonably should have known of such diagnosis.
Infectious or communicable diseases are defined as: infectious hepatitis; tuberculosis; rabies; tularemia; herpes simplex; acquired immune deficiency syndrome; viral hemorrhagic fever; gonorrhea; syphilis; Brikett's lymphoma; and Kaposi's sarcoma.
Information transmitted shall be privileged and confidential.
Willful violation of this act shall be a misdemeanor.
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:
The striking amendment directs the State of Board of Health to develop rules, by January 1, 1988, regarding the handling of human remains with infectious diseases and the transport of infected human remains to the funeral home.
Fiscal Note: available
Senate Committee - Testified: Brewer Thompson, Mountain View Funeral Home; Robb Menaul, WSHA: Clifton Anderson, Washington State Funeral Association; John Beare, DSHS