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(continued) 95 c 399 § 76; 1994 sp.s. c 7 § 201.]
Notes: Legislative finding and intent -- 1994 sp.s. c 7: "The legislature finds that the increasing violence in our society causes great concern for the immediate health and safety of our citizens and our social institutions. Youth violence is increasing at an alarming rate and young people between the ages of fifteen and twenty-four are at the highest risk of being perpetrators and victims of violence. Additionally, random violence, including homicide and the use of firearms, has dramatically increased over the last decade.
The legislature finds that violence is abhorrent to the aims of a free society and that it cannot be tolerated. State efforts at reducing violence must include changes in criminal penalties, reducing the unlawful use of and access to firearms, increasing educational efforts to encourage nonviolent means for resolving conflicts, and allowing communities to design their prevention efforts.
The legislature finds that the problem of violence can be addressed with many of the same approaches that public health programs have used to control other problems such as infectious disease, tobacco use, and traffic fatalities.
Addressing the problem of violence requires the concerted effort of all communities and all parts of state and local governments. It is the immediate purpose of chapter 7, Laws of 1994 sp. sess. to: (1) Prevent acts of violence by encouraging change in social norms and individual behaviors that have been shown to increase the risk of violence; (2) reduce the rate of at-risk children and youth, as defined in *RCW 70.190.010; (3) increase the severity and certainty of punishment for youth and adults who commit violent acts; (4) reduce the severity of harm to individuals when violence occurs; (5) empower communities to focus their concerns and allow them to control the funds dedicated to empirically supported preventive efforts in their region; and (6) reduce the fiscal and social impact of violence on our society." [1994 sp.s. c 7 § 101.]
*Reviser's note: The governor vetoed 1994 sp.s. c 7 § 302, which amended RCW 70.190.010 to define "at-risk children and youth." RCW 70.190.010 was subsequently amended by 1996 c 132 § 2, which now includes a definition for "at-risk children."
Severability -- 1994 sp.s. c 7: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [1994 sp.s. c 7 § 913.]
Effective dates -- Contingent expiration date -- 1994 sp.s. c 7: "(1) Sections 201 through 204, 302, 323, 411, 412, 417, and 418 of this act are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately [April 6, 1994].
(2) Sections 904 through 908 of this act shall take effect July 1, 1995.
*(3) Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, if sections 901 through 909 of this act are referred to the voters at the next succeeding general election and sections 901 through 909 of this act are rejected by the voters, then the amendments by sections 510 through 512, 519, 521, 525, and 527 of this act shall expire on July 1, 1995." [1994 sp.s. c 7 § 915 (Referendum Bill No. 43, subsection (3) approved November 8, 1994).]
*Reviser's note: Sections 901 through 909, chapter 7, Laws of 1994 sp. sess. were approved and ratified by the voters on November 8, 1994, in Referendum Bill No. 43. Therefore, the amendments to sections 510 through 512, 519, 521, 525, and 527, chapter 7, Laws of 1994 sp. sess. do not expire on July 1, 1995.
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43.70.545
Data collection and reporting rules.
(1) The department of health shall develop, based on recommendations in the public health services improvement plan and in consultation with affected groups or agencies, comprehensive rules for the collection and reporting of data relating to acts of violence, at-risk behaviors, and risk and protective factors. The data collection and reporting rules shall be used by any public or private entity that is required to report data relating to these behaviors and conditions. The department may require any agency or program that is state-funded or that accepts state funds and any licensed or regulated person or professional to report these behaviors and conditions. To the extent possible the department shall require the reports to be filed through existing data systems. The department may also require reporting of attempted acts of violence and of nonphysical injuries. For the purposes of this section "acts of violence" means self-directed and interpersonal behaviors that can result in suicide, homicide, and nonfatal intentional injuries. "At-risk behaviors," "protective factors," and "risk factors" have the same meanings as provided in RCW 70.190.010. A copy of the data used by a school district to prepare and submit a report to the department shall be retained by the district and, in the copy retained by the district, identify the reported acts or behaviors by school site.
(2) The department is designated as the statewide agency for the coordination of all information relating to violence and other intentional injuries, at-risk behaviors, and risk and protective factors.
(3) The department shall provide necessary data to the local health departments for use in planning by or evaluation of any community network authorized under RCW 70.190.060.
(4) The department shall by rule establish requirements for local health departments to perform assessment related to at-risk behaviors and risk and protective factors and to assist community networks in policy development and in planning and other duties under chapter 7, Laws of 1994 sp. sess.
(5) The department may, consistent with its general authority and directives under RCW 43.70.540 through 43.70.560, contract with a college or university that has experience in data collection relating to the health and overall welfare of children to provide assistance to:
(a) State and local health departments in developing new sources of data to track acts of violence, at-risk behaviors, and risk and protective factors; and
(b) Local health departments to compile and effectively communicate data in their communities.
[1998 c 245 § 76; 1994 sp.s. c 7 § 202.]
Notes: Finding -- Intent -- Severability -- Effective dates -- Contingent expiration date -- 1994 sp.s. c 7: See notes following RCW 43.70.540.
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43.70.550
Public health services improvement plan — Contents.
The public health services improvement plan developed under RCW 43.70.520 shall include:
(1) Minimum standards for state and local public health assessment, performance measurement, policy development, and assurance regarding social development to reduce at-risk behaviors and risk and protective factors. The department in the development of data collection and reporting requirements for the superintendent of public instruction, schools, and school districts shall consult with the joint select committee on education restructuring and local school districts.
(2)(a) Measurable risk factors that are empirically linked to violent criminal acts by juveniles, teen substance abuse, teen pregnancy and male parentage, teen suicide attempts, dropping out of school, child abuse or neglect, and domestic violence; and
(b) An evaluation of other factors to determine whether they are empirically related risk factors, such as: Out-of-home placements, poverty, single-parent households, inadequate nutrition, hunger, unemployment, lack of job skills, gang affiliation, lack of recreational or cultural opportunities, school absenteeism, court-ordered parenting plans, physical, emotional, or behavioral problems requiring special needs assistance in K-12 schools, learning disabilities, and any other possible factors.
(3) Data collection and analysis standards on at-risk behaviors and risk and protective factors for use by the local public health departments and the *state council and the local community networks to ensure consistent and interchangeable data.
(4) Recommendations regarding any state or federal statutory barriers affecting data collection or reporting.
The department shall provide an annual report to the Washington state institute for public policy on the implementation of this section.
[1994 sp.s. c 7 § 203.]
Notes: *Reviser's note: RCW 70.170.030, which created the health care access and cost control council, was repealed by 1995 c 269 § 2204, effective July 1, 1995.
Finding -- Intent -- Severability -- Effective dates -- Contingent expiration date -- 1994 sp.s. c 7: See notes following RCW 43.70.540.
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43.70.555
Assessment standards.
The department, in consultation with the family policy council created in chapter 70.190 RCW, shall establish, by rule, standards for local health departments and networks to use in assessment, performance measurement, policy development, and assurance regarding social development to prevent health problems caused by risk factors empirically linked to: Violent criminal acts by juveniles, teen substance abuse, teen pregnancy and male parentage, teen suicide attempts, dropping out of school, child abuse or neglect, and domestic violence. The standards shall be based on the standards set forth in the public health services improvement plan as required by RCW 43.70.550.
[1998 c 245 § 77; 1994 sp.s. c 7 § 204.]
Notes: Finding -- Intent -- Severability -- Effective dates -- Contingent expiration date -- 1994 sp.s. c 7: See notes following RCW 43.70.540.
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43.70.560
Media violence — Reporting reduction efforts.
The legislature encourages the use of a statewide voluntary, socially responsible policy to reduce the emphasis, amount, and type of violence in all public media. The department shall develop a suggested reporting format for use by the print, television, and radio media in reporting their voluntary violence reduction efforts. Each area of the public media may carry out the policy in whatever manner that area deems appropriate.
[1994 sp.s. c 7 § 205.]
Notes: Finding -- Intent -- Severability -- 1994 sp.s. c 7: See notes following RCW 43.70.540.
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43.70.570
Intent — 1995 c 43.
The legislature declares its intent to implement the recommendations of the public health improvement plan by initiating a program to provide the public health system with the necessary capacity to improve the health outcomes of the population of Washington state and establishing the methodology by which improvement in the health outcomes and delivery of public health activities will be assessed.
[1995 c 43 § 1.]
Notes: Severability -- 1995 c 43: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [1995 c 43 § 14.]
Effective dates -- Contingent effective dates -- 1995 c 43: See note following RCW 70.05.030.
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43.70.575
Definitions.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout RCW 43.70.570 through 43.70.580.
(1) "Capacity" means actions that public health jurisdictions must do as part of ongoing daily operations to adequately protect and promote health and prevent disease, injury, and premature death. The public health improvement plan identifies capacity necessary for assessment, policy development, administration, prevention, including promotion and protection, and access and quality.
(2) "Department" means the department of health.
(3) "Local health jurisdiction" means the local health agency, either county or multicounty, operated by local government, with oversight and direction from a local board of health, that provides public health services throughout a defined geographic area.
(4) "Health outcomes" means long-term objectives that define optimal, measurable, future levels of health status, maximum acceptable levels of disease, injury, or dysfunction, or prevalence of risk factors in areas such as improving the rate of immunizations for infants and children to ninety percent and controlling and reducing the spread of tuberculosis and that are stated in the public health improvement plan.
(5) "Public health improvement plan," also known as the public health services improvement plan, means the public health services improvement plan established under RCW 43.70.520, developed by the department, in consultation with local health departments and districts, the state board of health, the health services commission, area Indian health services, and other state agencies, health services providers, and residents concerned about public health, to provide a detailed accounting of deficits in the core functions of assessment, policy development, and assurance of the current public health system, how additional public health funding would be used, and to describe the benefits expected from expanded expenditures.
(6) "Public health" means activities that society does collectively to assure the conditions in which people can be healthy. This includes organized community efforts to prevent, identify, preempt, and counter threats to the public's health.
(7) "Public health system" means the department, the state board of health, and local health jurisdictions.
[1995 c 43 § 2.]
Notes: Effective dates -- Contingent effective dates -- 1995 c 43: See note following RCW 70.05.030.
Severability -- 1995 c 43: See note following RCW 43.70.570.
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43.70.580
Public health improvement plan — Funds — Performance-based contracts — Rules — Evaluation and report.
The primary responsibility of the public health system, is to take those actions necessary to protect, promote, and improve the health of the population. In order to accomplish this, the department shall:
(1) Identify, as part of the public health improvement plan, the key health outcomes sought for the population and the capacity needed by the public health system to fulfill its responsibilities in improving health outcomes.
(2)(a) Distribute state funds that, in conjunction with local revenues, are intended to improve the capacity of the public health system. The distribution methodology shall encourage system-wide effectiveness and efficiency and provide local health jurisdictions with the flexibility both to determine governance structures and address their unique needs.
(b) Enter into with each local health jurisdiction performance-based contracts that establish clear measures of the degree to which the local health jurisdiction is attaining the capacity necessary to improve health outcomes. The contracts negotiated between the local health jurisdictions and the department of health must identify the specific measurable progress that local health jurisdictions will make toward achieving health outcomes. A community assessment conducted by the local health jurisdiction according to the public health improvement plan, which shall include the results of the comprehensive plan prepared according to RCW 70.190.130, will be used as the basis for identifying the health outcomes. The contracts shall include provisions to encourage collaboration among local health jurisdictions. State funds shall be used solely to expand and complement, but not to supplant city and county government support for public health programs.
(3) Develop criteria to assess the degree to which capacity is being achieved and ensure compliance by public health jurisdictions.
(4) Adopt rules necessary to carry out the purposes of chapter 43, Laws of 1995.
(5) Biennially, within the public health improvement plan, evaluate the effectiveness of the public health system, assess the degree to which the public health system is attaining the capacity to improve the status of the public's health, and report progress made by each local health jurisdiction toward improving health outcomes.
[1995 c 43 § 3.]
Notes: Effective dates -- Contingent effective dates -- 1995 c 43: See note following RCW 70.05.030.
Severability -- 1995 c 43: See note following RCW 43.70.570.
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43.70.590
American Indian health care delivery plan.
Consistent with funds appropriated specifically for this purpose, the department shall establish in conjunction with the area Indian health services system and providers an advisory group comprised of Indian and non-Indian health care facilities and providers to formulate an American Indian health care delivery plan. The plan shall include:
(1) Recommendations to providers and facilities methods for coordinating and joint venturing with the Indian health services for service delivery;
(2) Methods to improve American Indian-specific health programming; and
(3) Creation of co-funding recommendations and opportunities for the unmet health services programming needs of American Indians.
[1995 c 43 § 4; 1993 c 492 § 468. Formerly RCW 41.05.240.]
Notes: Reviser's note: RCW 41.05.240 was amended and recodified as RCW 43.70.590 by 1995 c 43 without cognizance of the repeal by 1995 1st sp.s. c 6 § 9. For rule of construction concerning sections amended and repealed in the same legislative session, see RCW 1.12.025.
Effective dates -- Contingent effective dates -- 1995 c 43: See note following RCW 70.05.030.
Severability -- 1995 c 43: See note following RCW 43.70.570.
Findings -- Intent -- 1993 c 492: See notes following RCW 43.72.005.
Short title -- Severability -- Savings -- Captions not law -- Reservation of legislative power -- Effective dates -- 1993 c 492: See RCW 43.72.910 through 43.72.915.
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43.70.600
Survey regarding exposure to radio frequencies — Results.
When funds are appropriated for this purpose, the department shall conduct a survey of scientific literature regarding the possible health effects of human exposure to the radio frequency part of the electromagnetic spectrum (300Hz to 300GHz). The department may submit the survey results to the legislature, prepare a summary of that survey, and make the summary available to the public. The department may update the survey and summary periodically.
[1998 c 245 § 78; 1996 c 323 § 6.]
Notes: Findings -- 1996 c 323: "The legislature finds that concerns have been raised over possible health effects from exposure to some wireless telecommunications facilities, and that exposures from these facilities should be kept as low as reasonably achievable while still allowing the operation of these networks. The legislature further finds that the department of health should serve as the state agency that follows the issues and compiles information pertaining to potential health effects from wireless telecommunications facilities." [1996 c 323 § 1.]
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43.70.605
Personal wireless services — Random testing on power density analysis — Rules.
Unless this section is preempted by applicable federal statutes, the department may require that in residential zones or areas, all providers of personal wireless services, as defined in *section 1 of this act, provide random test results on power density analysis for the provider's licensed frequencies showing radio frequency levels before and after development of the personal wireless service antenna facilities, following national standards or protocols of the federal communications commission or other federal agencies. This section shall not apply to microcells as defined in RCW 80.36.375. The department may adopt rules to implement this section.
[1996 c 323 § 7.]
Notes: *Reviser's note: The reference to section 1 of this act is erroneous. Section 2 of the act, codified as RCW 43.21C.0384, was apparently intended.
Findings -- 1996 c 323: See note following RCW 43.70.600.
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43.70.610
Domestic violence education program — Established — Findings.
The legislature finds that domestic violence is the leading cause of injury among women and is linked to numerous health problems, including depression, abuse of alcohol and other drugs, and suicide. Despite the frequency of medical attention, few people are diagnosed as victims of spousal abuse. The department, in consultation with the disciplinary authorities as defined in RCW 18.130.040, shall establish, within available department general funds, an ongoing domestic violence education program as an integral part of its health professions regulation. The purpose of the education program is to raise awareness and educate health care professionals regarding the identification, appropriate treatment, and appropriate referral of victims of domestic violence. The disciplinary authorities having the authority to offer continuing education may provide training in the dynamics of domestic violence. No funds from the health professions account may be utilized to fund activities under this section unless the disciplinary authority authorizes expenditures from its proportions of the account. A disciplinary authority may defray costs by authorizing a fee to be charged for participants or materials relating to any sponsored program.
[1996 c 191 § 89.]
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43.70.620
List of contacts — Health care professions.
The secretary shall create and maintain a list of contacts with each of the health care professions regulated under the following chapters for the purpose of policy advice and information dissemination: RCW 18.06.080, 18.89.050, and 18.138.070 and chapters 18.135, 18.55, and 18.88A RCW.
[1999 c 151 § 402.]
Notes: Part headings not law -- Effective date -- 1999 c 151: See notes following RCW 18.28.010.
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43.70.630
Cost-reimbursement agreements.
(1) The department may enter into a written cost-reimbursement agreement with a permit applicant to recover from the applicant the reasonable costs incurred by the department in carrying out the requirements of this chapter, as well as the requirements of other relevant laws, as they relate to permit coordination, environmental review, application review, technical studies, and permit processing. The cost-reimbursement agreement shall identify the specific tasks, costs, and schedule for work to be conducted under the agreement.
(2) The written cost-reimbursement agreement shall be negotiated with the permit applicant. Under the provisions of a cost-reimbursement agreement, funds from the applicant shall be used by the department to contract with an independent consultant to carry out the work covered by the cost-reimbursement agreement. The department may also use funds provided under a cost-reimbursement agreement to assign current staff to review the work of the consultant, to provide necessary technical assistance when an independent consultant with comparable technical skills is unavailable, and to recover reasonable and necessary direct and indirect costs that arise from processing the permit. The department shall, in developing the agreement, ensure that final decisions that involve policy matters are made by the agency and not by the consultant. The department shall make an estimate of the number of permanent staff hours to process the permits, and shall contract with consultants to replace the time and functions committed by these permanent staff to the project. The billing process shall provide for accurate time and cost accounting and may include a billing cycle that provides for progress payments. Use of cost-reimbursement agreements shall not reduce the current level of staff available to work on permits not covered by cost-reimbursement agreements. The department may not use any funds under a cost-reimbursement agreement to replace or supplant existing funding. The restrictions of chapter 42.52 RCW apply to any cost-reimbursement agreement, and to any person hired as a result of a cost-reimbursement agreement.
(3) The department may not enter into any new cost-reimbursement agreements on or after July 1, 2007. The department may continue to administer any cost-reimbursement agreement that was entered into before July 1, 2007, until the project is completed.
[2003 c 70 § 3; 2000 c 251 § 4.]
Notes: Intent -- Captions not law -- Effective date -- 2000 c 251: See notes following RCW 43.21A.690.
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43.70.640
Workplace breastfeeding policies — Infant-friendly designation.
(1) An employer may use the designation "infant-friendly" on its promotional materials if the employer has an approved workplace breastfeeding policy addressing at least the following:
(a) Flexible work scheduling, including scheduling breaks and permitting work patterns that provide time for expression of breast milk;
(b) A convenient, sanitary, safe, and private location, other than a restroom, allowing privacy for breastfeeding or expressing breast milk;
(c) A convenient clean and safe water source with facilities for washing hands and rinsing breast-pumping equipment located in the private location specified in (b) of this subsection; and
(d) A convenient hygienic refrigerator in the workplace for the mother's breast milk.
(2) Employers seeking approval of a workplace breastfeeding policy must submit the policy to the department of health. The department of health shall review and approve those policies that meet the requirements of this section. The department may directly develop and implement the criteria for "infant-friendly" employers, or contract with a vendor for this purpose.
(3) For the purposes of this section, "employer" includes those employers defined in RCW 49.12.005 and also includes the state, state institutions, state agencies, political subdivisions of the state, and municipal corporations or quasi-municipal corporations.
[2001 c 88 § 3.]
Notes: Acknowledgment -- Declaration -- Findings -- 2001 c 88: "(1) The legislature acknowledges the surgeon general's summons to all sectors of society and government to help redress the low breastfeeding rates and duration in the United States, including the social and workplace factors that can make it difficult for women to breastfeed. The legislature also acknowledges the surgeon general's report on the health and economic importance of breastfeeding which concludes that:
(a) Breastfeeding is one of the most important contributors to infant health;
(b) Breastfeeding provides a range of benefits for the infant's growth, immunity, and development; and
(c) Breastfeeding improves maternal health and contributes economic benefits to the family, health care system, and workplace.
(2) The legislature declares that the achievement of optimal infant and child health, growth, and development requires protection and support for the practice of breastfeeding. The legislature finds that:
(a) The American academy of pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a child's life and breastfeeding with the addition of solid foods to continue for at least twelve months, and that arrangements be made to provide expressed breast milk if the mother and child must separate during the first year. Children should be breastfed or fed expressed breast milk when they show signs of need, rather than according to a set schedule or the location;
(b) Breast milk contains all the nutrients a child needs for optimal health, growth, and development, many of which can only be found in breast milk;
(c) Research in developed countries provides strong evidence that breastfeeding decreases the incidence and/or severity of diarrhea, lower respiratory tract infection, otitis media, bacteremia, bacterial meningitis, urinary tract infection, and necrotizing enterocolitis. In addition, a number of studies show a possible protective effect of breastfeeding against SIDS, Type I diabetes mellitus, Crohn's disease, lymphoma, ulcerative colitis, and allergic diseases;
(d) Studies also indicate health benefits in mothers who breastfeed. Breastfeeding is one of the few ways that mothers may be able to lower their risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, with benefits proportional to the duration that they are able to breastfeed. In addition, the maternal hormonal changes stimulated by breastfeeding also help the uterus recover faster and minimize the amount of blood mothers lose after birth. Breastfeeding inhibits ovulation and menstrual bleeding, thereby decreasing the risk of anemia and a precipitous subsequent pregnancy. Breastfeeding women also have an earlier return to prepregnancy weight;
(e) Approximately two-thirds of women who are employed when they become pregnant return to the work force by the time their children are six months old;
(f) Employers benefit when their employees breastfeed. Breastfed infants are sick less often; therefore, maternal absenteeism from work is lower in companies with established lactation programs. In addition, employee medical costs are lower and employee productivity is higher;
(g) According to a survey of mothers in Washington, most want to breastfeed but discontinue sooner than they hope, citing lack of societal and workplace support as key factors limiting their ability to breastfeed;
(h) Many mothers fear that they are not making enough breast milk and therefore decrease or discontinue breastfeeding. Frequency of breastfeeding or expressing breast milk is the main regulator of milk supply, such that forcing mothers to go prolonged periods without breastfeeding or expressing breast milk can undermine their ability to maintain breastfeeding; and
(i) Maternal stress can physiologically inhibit a mother's ability to produce and let down milk. Mothers report modifiable sources of stress related to breastfeeding, including lack of protection from harassment and difficulty finding time and an appropriate location to express milk while away from their babies.
(3) The legislature encourages state and local governmental agencies, and private and public sector businesses to consider the benefits of providing convenient, sanitary, safe, and private rooms for mothers to express breast milk." [2001 c 88 § 1.]
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43.70.650
School sealant endorsement program — Rules — Fee — Report to the legislature.
The secretary is authorized to create a school sealant endorsement program for dental hygienists and dental assistants. The secretary of health, in consultation with the dental quality assurance commission and the dental hygiene examining committee, shall adopt rules to implement this section.
(1) A dental hygienist licensed in this state after April 19, 2001, is eligible to apply for endorsement by the department of health as a school sealant dental hygienist upon completion of the Washington state school sealant endorsement program. While otherwise authorized to act, currently licensed hygienists may still elect to apply for the endorsement.
(2) A dental assistant employed after April 19, 2001, by a dentist licensed in this state, who has worked under dental supervision for at least two hundred hours, is eligible to apply for endorsement by the department of health as a school sealant dental assistant upon completion of the Washington state school sealant endorsement program. While otherwise authorized to act, currently employed dental assistants may still elect to apply for the endorsement.
(3) The department may impose a fee for implementation of this section.
(4) The secretary shall provide a report to the legislature by December 1, 2005, evaluating the outcome of chapter 93, Laws of 2001.
[2001 c 93 § 2.]
Notes: Findings -- Intent -- 2001 c 93: "The legislature finds that access to preventive and restorative oral health services by low-income children is currently restricted by complex regulatory, financial, cultural, and geographic barriers that have resulted in a large number of children suffering unnecessarily from dental disease. The legislature also finds that very early exposure to oral health care can reverse this disease in many cases, thereby significantly reducing costs of providing dental services to low-income populations.
It is the intent of the legislature to address the problem of poor access to oral health care by providing for school-based sealant programs through the endorsement of dental hygienists." [2001 c 93 § 1.]
Effective date -- 2001 c 93: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [April 19, 2001]." [2001 c 93 § 5.]
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43.70.660
Product safety education.
(1) The legislature authorizes the secretary to establish and maintain a product safety education campaign to promote greater awareness of products designed to be used by infants and children, excluding toys, that:
(a) Are recalled by the United States consumer products safety commission;
(b) Do not meet federal safety regulations and voluntary safety standards; or
(c) Are unsafe or illegal to place into the stream of commerce under the infant crib safety act, chapter 70.111 RCW.
(2) The department shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that this infant and children product safety education campaign reaches the target population. The target population for this campaign includes, but is not limited to, parents, foster parents and other caregivers, child care providers, consignment and resale stores selling infant and child products, and charitable and governmental entities serving infants, children, and families.
(3) The secretary may utilize a combination of methods to achieve this outreach and education goal, including but not limited to print and electronic media. The secretary may operate the campaign or may contract with a vendor.
(4) The department shall coordinate this infant and children product safety education campaign with child-serving entities including, but not limited to, hospitals, birthing centers, midwives, pediatricians, obstetricians, family practice physicians, governmental and private entities serving infants, children, and families, and relevant manufacturers.
(5) The department shall coordinate with other agencies and entities to eliminate duplication of effort in disseminating infant and children consumer product safety information.
(6) The department may receive funding for this infant and children product safety education effort from federal, state, and local governmental entities, child-serving foundations, or other private sources.
[2001 c 257 § 2.]
Notes: Findings -- Intent -- 2001 c 257: "(1) The legislature finds that infants and children in Washington are injured, sometimes fatally, by unsafe consumer products designed for use by infants and children.
(2) The legislature finds that parents and other persons responsible for the care of infants and children are often unaware that some of these consumer products have been recalled or are unsafe.
(3) The legislature intends to address this lack of awareness by establishing a statewide infant and children product safety campaign across Washington state." [2001 c 257 § 1.]
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43.70.670
Human immunodeficiency virus insurance program.
(1) "Human immunodeficiency virus insurance program," as used in this section, means a program that provides health insurance coverage for individuals with human immunodeficiency virus, as defined in RCW 70.24.017(7), who are not eligible for medical assistance programs from the department of social and health services as defined in RCW 74.09.010(8) and meet eligibility requirements established by the department of health.
(2) The department of health may pay for health insurance coverage on behalf of persons with human immunodeficiency virus, who meet department eligibility requirements, and who are eligible for "continuation coverage" as provided by the federal consolidated omnibus budget reconciliation act of 1985, group health insurance policies, or individual policies. The number of insurance policies supported by this program in the Washington state health insurance pool as defined in RCW 48.41.030(18) shall not grow beyond the July 1, 2003, level.
[2003 c 274 § 2.]
Notes: Rules -- 2003 c 274: "The department of health shall adopt rules to implement this act." [2003 c 274 § 3.]
Effective date -- 2003 c 274: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 2003." [2003 c 274 § 4.]
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43.70.680
Volunteers for emergency or disaster assistance.
(1) The department is authorized to contact persons issued credentials under this title for the purpose of requesting permission to collect his or her name, profession, and contact information as a possible volunteer in the event of a bioterrorism incident, natural disaster, public health emergency, or other emergency or disaster, as defined in RCW 38.52.010, that requires the services of health care providers.
(2) The department shall maintain a record of all volunteers who provide information under subsection (1) of this section. Upon request, the department shall provide the record of volunteers to:
(a) Local health departments;
(b) State agencies engaged in public health emergency planning and response, including the state military department;
(c) Agencies of other states responsible for public health emergency planning and response; and
(d) The centers for disease control and prevention.
[2003 c 384 § 1.]
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43.70.690
State asthma plan.
(1) The department, in collaboration with its public and private partners, shall design a state asthma plan, based on clinically sound criteria including nationally recognized guidelines such as those established by the national asthma education prevention partnership expert panel report guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma.
(2) The plan shall include recommendations in the following areas:
(a) Evidence-based processes for the prevention and management of asthma;
(b) Data systems that support asthma prevalence reporting, including population disparities and practice variation in the treatment of asthma;
(c) Quality improvement strategies addressing the successful diagnosis and management of the disease; and
(d) Cost estimates and sources of funding for plan implementation.
(3) The department shall submit the completed state plan to the governor and the legislature by December 1, 2005. After the initial state plan is submitted, the department shall provide progress reports to the governor and the legislature on a biennial basis beginning December 1, 2007.
(4) The department shall implement the state plan recommendations made under subsection (2) of this section only to the extent that federal, state, or private funds, including grants, are available for that purpose.
[2005 c 462 § 4.]
Notes: Findings -- 2005 c 462: See note following RCW 28A.210.370.
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43.70.900
References to the secretary or department of social and health services — 1989 1st ex.s. c 9.
All references to the secretary or department of social and health services in the Revised Code of Washington shall be construed to mean the secretary or department of health when referring to the functions transferred in RCW 43.70.080, *15.36.005, 18.104.005, 19.32.005, **28A.210.005, 43.83B.005, 43.99D.005, 43.99E.005, ***70.05.005, 70.08.005, ***70.12.005, 70.22.005, 70.24.005, 70.40.005, 70.41.005, and 70.54.005.
[1990 c 33 § 580; 1989 1st ex.s. c 9 § 801.]
Notes: Reviser's note: *(1) RCW 15.36.005 was recodified as RCW 15.36.471 pursuant to 1994 c 143 § 514.
**(2) RCW 28A.210.005 was repealed by 1995 c 335 § 307.
***(3) RCW 70.05.005 and 70.12.005 were repealed by 1993 c 492 § 257, effective July 1, 1995.
Purpose -- Statutory references -- Severability -- 1990 c 33: See RCW 28A.900.100 through 28A.900.102.
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43.70.901
References to the director or department of licensing — 1989 1st ex.s. c 9.
All references to the director of licensing or department of licensing in the Revised Code of Washington shall be construed to mean the secretary or department of health when referring to the functions transferred in RCW 43.70.220.
[1989 1st ex.s. c 9 § 802.]
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43.70.902
References to the hospital commission — 1989 1st ex.s. c 9.
All references to the hospital commission in the Revised Code of Washington shall be construed to mean the secretary or the department of health.
[1989 1st ex.s. c 9 § 803.]
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43.70.910
Effective date — 1989 1st ex.s. c 9.
This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1989.
[1989 1st ex.s. c 9 § 825.]
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43.70.920
Severability — 1989 1st ex.s. c 9.
If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.
[1989 1st ex.s. c 9 § 826.]