Legislative Updates

HB 1011 Rep. Bush, Prime Sponsor
Prohibiting the Use of Intoxication as a Defense - Voluntary intoxication cannot be used as a defense to any criminal charge, and that prosecutors can introduce evidence of defendant's intoxication. It applies to voluntary intoxication produced by any agent, not just alcohol or any drug.
STATUS: House Judiciary Committee.
Hearing scheduled for 1/21 at 1:30 PM.(updated on 1/20/2003)
Hearing held 1/21.(updated on 1/24/2003)
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HB 1050 Rep. Nixon, Prime Sponsor
Expanding Implied Consent - A person operating a vehicle, (or railroad, street car, vessel or aircraft) is deemed to have given consent to a test of his/her breath or blood to determine alcohol concentration or presence of any drug if the vehicle is involved in a crash where another person dies within eight hours of the crash and the death was caused by the crash due to operation of the vehicle. Law enforcement shall order the test after having reasonable grounds that the person operating the vehicle was impaired. The bill explains where breath/blood tests can be taken and by whom. If the person is incapable to doing a breath test because of injuries, a blood test is required.
STATUS: House Judiciary Committee. (updated on 1/20/2003)
Deadline for passage out of this committee has passed. (updated on 3/7/2003)
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HB 1080 Rep. Delvin, Prime Sponsor
Revising Motorcycle Equipment Laws - Motorcyclists under age 21 years would be required to wear a motorcycle helmet. It also removes authority of the Washington State Patrol (WSP) to conduct rule making related to motorcycle helmets and other motorcycle equipment. Any kind of commercially manufactured helmet that is called a motorcycle helmet would be legal to wear for people under 21 years.
STATUS: House Transportation Committee. (updated on 1/20/2003)
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SHB 1619 Rep. Lovick, Prime Sponsor
Driving Under the Influence with Children in the Vehicle - If a person is convicted of Driving under the Influence (DUI) while a passenger under of the age of sixteen is in the car, HB 1619 requires the court to add 60 days to any mandatory minimum period of jail confinement and 60 days of any mandatory minimum period of electronic home monitoring.
STATUS: House Judiciary Committee. (updated on 2/7/2003)
STATUS: House Rules Committee. (updated on 2/28/2003)
STATUS: Senate Judiciary Committee. (updated on 3/21/2003)
STATUS: Delivered to the Governor for Signature. (updated on 4/25/2003)
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HB 1874 Rep. Miloscia, Prime Sponsor
Requires persons under the age of 16 to wear a protective helmet while riding a non-motorized wheeled device.
STATUS: House Transportation Committee. (updated on 2/13/2003)
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SHB 2014 Rep. Flannigan, Prime Sponsor
Insurance Coverage Relating to Injuries Sustained While Under the Influence of Alcohol or Narcotics - Changes insurance laws so that insurers, health care service contractors, and health maintenance organization may not deny coverage for the treatment of an injury solely because the injury was sustained as a consequence of the insured being intoxicated or under the influence of a narcotic. The act would apply to all contracts issued or renewed on or after the effective date of the act.
STATUS: House Rules 2nd Reading. Deadline for passage out of this committee has passed. (updated on 3/21/2003)
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SHB 2262 Rep. Cody, Prime Sponsor
This bill was amended to exempt all ambulance and aid services from paying a license fee. It does continue to allow for charging of fees for prehospital personnel. First responders, emergency medical technicians, intermediate life support technicians, and paramedics must pay certification fees according to their pro rata share of the cost of regulating their professions. EMS prehospital personnel who do not receive compensation for their services (volunteers) are exempt from paying certification fees. The Department of Health is required to adopt fees for emergency medical services personnel who receive compensation for their services (paid).
STATUS: House 2nd Reading (updated on 4/25/2003)
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HB 2511 Rep. Flannigan, Prime Sponsor
Companion SB 6312 Sen. Oke, Prime Sponsor
Clarifying Motor Vehicle Seatbelt Requirements - This bill is a request legislation from Washington Traffic Safety Commission, declares an emergency, and would take effect immediately if passed. It clarifies motor vehicle safety belt requirements by deleting references to the federal code. Instead, safety belts must be worn in any vehicle manufactured after 1973.
STATUS: HB 2511 - Senate Highways and Transportation Committee
STATUS: HB 2511 - Senate 2nd Rules. (updated on 3/12/2004)
SB 6312 - Senate Rules. Deadline for passage out of this committee has passed. (updated on 3/12/2004)
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HB 2883 Rep. Lovick, Prime Sponsor
Companion SB 6552 Sen. Murray, Prime Sponsor
Specialized Commercial Vehicles (aka. Strecher Vans) These are DSHS and DOH request bills. The purpose of the bill is to amend RCW 18.73.180 to allow persons with special needs to be transported by cabulances, stretcher vans, and wheelchair vans rather than an ambulance when the purpose of the transport is comfort and convenience, and not medical. In other words – ambulances will still need to transport all “patients”, while a cabulance may only transport “passengers” that require a stretcher but no medical attention en route. The bill requires the Department of Health to adopt rules that define what constitutes need for medical attention in transport.
STATUS: HB 2883 - House Transportation Committee. Hearing held 2/2/04. Deadline for passage out of this committee has passed.
SB 6552 - Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee. Deadline for passage out of this committee has passed.(updated on 3/12/2004)
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SB 5061 Sen. Thibadeau, Prime Sponsor
EMS & Trauma Systems Trust Account - This bill adds new language to RCW 70. 168.040 - the EMS and Trauma Trust Account - that prohibits any funds from being transferred to any other fund or account.
STATUS: Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee.
Hearing scheduled for Wednesday, 1/29, at 1:30 PM. (updated on 1/24/2003)
Hearing held on 1/29. (updated on 1/31/2003)
STATUS: Senate Ways & Means Committee. (updated on 2/28/2003)
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SB 5162 Sen. Rasmussen, Prime Sponsor
Revised Summary
Transportation of Persons with Special Needs - Amends transportation of persons with special needs statute by including "private non-profit" as a type of transportation provider. Gives the Utilities and Transportation Commission authority to regulate this category of provider that has been providing services but not subject to state regulation.
STATUS: Senate Highways and Transportation Committee (updated on 1/24/2003)
Hearing scheduled for Tuesday, 2/4, at 3:30 PM. (updated on 1/31/2003)
Hearing held on 2/4. (updated on 2/7/2003)
Hearing held on 2/19. (updated on 2/21/2003)
Do Pass. (updated on 3/7/2003)
STATUS: Senate Rules 2nd Reading. Deadline for passage out of this committee has passed. (updated on 3/21/2003)
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SB 5230 Sen. T. Sheldon, Prime Sponsor
Motorcycle Helmet - Only motorcyclists under 21 years of age would be required to wear a motorcycle helmet. It also removes authority of the Washington State Patrol (WSP) to conduct rule making related to motorcycle helmets and other motorcycle equipment. Any kind of commercially manufactured helmet that is called a motorcycle helmet would be legal to wear for people under 21 years.
STATUS: Senate Highways and Transportation Committee (updated on 1/24/2003)
Hearing scheduled for Thursday, 2/6, at 3:30 PM. (updated on 1/31/2003)
Hearing held on 2/6. (updated on 2/7/2003)
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SSB 5335 Sen. Zarelli, Prime Sponsor (companion bill HB 1297)
Definition of a Motorcycle Helmet - Specifically defines a motorcycle helmet in statute as a protective covering for the head consisting of a hard outer shell, padding inside the outer shell, a neck or chin strap retention system, and it must bear the federal Department of Transportation (DOT) sticker of approval. The bill also repeals the authority of Washington State Patrol (WSP) to adopt/amend rules related to motorcycle helmets. WSP would still be able to adopt rules regarding motorcycle rider glasses, goggles and face shields.
STATUS: Senate Highways and Transportation Committee (updated on 1/24/2003)
Hearing scheduled for Thursday, 2/6, at 3:30 PM. (updated on 1/31/2003)
Hearing held on 2/6. (updated on 2/7/2003)
STATUS: Senate Rules Committee. (updated on 2/28/2003)
STATUS: House Transportation Committee. (updated on 3/21/2003)
STATUS: House Transportation Committee. Hearing scheduled for Friday, 4/4, at 3:30pm. (updated on 4/4/2003)
STATUS: Signed by Senate President. (updated on 4/25/2003)
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SB 5487 Sen. Eide, Prime Sponsor
Restricting Wireless Communication Devices in Moving Motor Vehicles - Phases out the use of hand-held wireless communication devices (cell phones) by motorists while operating a motor vehicle. The bill creates an infraction for motor vehicle operators if they are driving while holding a cell phone to their ear, except under certain circumstances described in the bill.
STATUS: Senate Highways and Transportation Committee. (updated on 1/31/2003)
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SB 5488 Sen. Eide, Prime Sponsor
Information on Cell Phone Usage on Accident Reports - Requires law enforcement to report mobile phone use by either driver involved in a crash that results in injury or death of any person, or significant property damage.
STATUS: Senate Highways and Transportation Committee. (updated on 1/31/2003)
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SB 5498 Sen. Oke, Prime Sponsor
Failure to Wear Safety Belts - Failure to wear a safety belt, or to comply with any requirements of the seat belt law, may be admissible as evidence of negligence in any civil action.
STATUS: Senate Judiciary Committee. (updated on 1/31/2003)
Hearing scheduled for Wednesday, 2/12, at 8:00 AM. (updated on 2/7/2003)
Hearing was removed from the calendar 2/12. (updated on 2/13/2003)
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SB 5898 Sen. Oke, Prime Sponsor (companion bill HB 2075)
Studying Recreational Boating Safety - Directs the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission to investigate a variety of methods to achieve safer recreational boating practices, including mandatory safe boater education. The need for homeland security precautions for boaters is to be included in the recommendations.
STATUS: Parks, Fisheries and Wildlife. (updated on 2/21/2003)
Hearing scheduled for Tuesday, 3/4, at 1:30 PM. (updated on 2/28/2003)
STATUS: House Fisheries, Ecology and Parks Committee. (updated on 3/21/2003)
STATUS: House Rules Committee. (updated on 4/4/2003)
STATUS: Signed by Senate President. (updated on 4/25/2003)
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SB 5964 Sen. Thibaudeau, Prime Sponsor
Companion SHB 2014 Rep. Flannigan, Prime Sponsor
Insurance Coverage For Injuries Sustained Because Of Alcohol Or Narcotic Use - Amends insurance laws so that insurers, health care service contractors, and health maintenance organizations may not deny coverage for the treatment of an injury solely because the injury was sustained as a result of the insured being intoxicated or under the influence of a narcotic. The act would apply to all contracts issued or renewed on or after the effective date of the act.
STATUS: SB 5964 - Senate Rules. Deadline for passage out of this committee has passed. (updated on 3/12/2004)
SHB 2014 – Senate 2nd Reading (updated on 3/12/2004)
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SSB 6162 Sen. Brandland, Prime Sponsor
Health Care Information & Law Enforcement - Modifies RCW 70.02.050 to permit health care providers to provide information to law enforcement authorities in certain circumstances.
STATUS: - Senate Rules. Deadline for passage out of this committee has passed. (updated on 3/12/2004)
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SB 6152 Sen Eide, Prime Sponsor
Intermediate Driver's License - Washington Traffic Safety Commission request (WTSC) bill. Amends and clarifies the intermediate driver's license law.
STATUS: Bill withdrawn. (updated on 3/12/2004)
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SB 6397 Sen. Doumit, Prime Sponsor
Theft from Ambulance - This bill provides for presumptive disqualification from EMS licensure for individuals facing charges of theft from licensed ambulance or ambulance service, subject to appeal to the secretary; and absolute disqualification from EMS licensure for conviction of theft from any licensed ambulance or ambulance service.
STATUS: Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee. Hearing held 1/28/04. Deadline for passage out of this committee has passed. (updated on 3/12/2004)
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