House passes bill on public health advisory board

The Washington state House adopted a bill during a virtual legislative debate Thursday to establish an advisory board on public health and other bills, all of which head to the governor’s desk.

House Bill 1152, which passed in a 60-37 vote, would establish the Public Health Advisory Board under the state Department of Health. The board would advise and offer feedback to public health systems in the state, according to the bill’s text.

Rep. Marcus Riccelli, D-Spokane, is HB 1152’s primary sponsor. Riccelli said during the debate the bill received a “buzz cut” from the Senate because it removed certain components, like establishing regional health officers, in the original bill.

“I am pleased that (the bill) includes (a) public health advisory board that can … look back at our pandemic response and help us determine how we can respond to future pandemics,” Riccelli said.

Riccelli said the goal of HB 1152 is to ensure Washingtonians can visit any public health institution and get a “standard level of public health service.”

Under HB 1152, local boards of health would be required to include unelected members in addition to existing board members beginning July 1, 2022. Unelected members can be individuals like public health practitioners and “community stakeholders.”

Rep. Joe Schmick, R-Colfax, said during the debate although he supports the changes the Senate made to HB 1152, some representatives still have reservations about having non-elected members in local boards of health who would be in charge of spending local funds.

The House also passed HB 1227 in a 87-9 vote. The bill would establish the Keeping Families Together Act to “safely reduce the number of children in foster care and reduce racial bias in the system,” according to the bill’s text.

Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self, D-Mukilteo, is HB 1227’s primary sponsor. Ortiz-Self said during the debate the bill would ensure children are not separated from their families due to issues like poverty.

Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, said during the debate HB 1227 is “in the spirit” of why the state Department of Children, Youth and Families was established in the first place in 2017.

Under HB 1227, a standard for when and if a child must be removed from a parent would be established. A hospital, law enforcement or court personnel must have probable cause to believe removing a child is necessary to “prevent imminent physical harm,” according to the bill’s text.

During the afternoon session, the House also passed these bills:

• HB 1194 (96-0): clarifies guidelines regarding parental visitation during child welfare proceedings.

• HB 1140 (56-41): requires individuals under 18 years old to have access to an attorney before waiving their constitutional rights to law enforcement.

• HB 1443 (60-36): expands and modifies the state Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force.

• HB 1297 (93-3): expands and restructures the Working Families’ Tax Exemption program.