Recommendations Needed to Address Spread of Sexually Transmitted Infections in WA

This past session, the Washington State Legislature passed ESSB 5092, the state operating budget bill, which included a proviso that charges the Department of Health (DOH) with convening a workgroup to make recommendations concerning funding and policy initiatives to address the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in Washington. As stipulated, the workgroup will submit a report to the legislature by December 1, 2022, that includes recommendations prioritized based on need and available funding, to:

• Eradicate congenital syphilis and hepatitis B by 2030;
• Control the spread of gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia;
• End the need for confirmatory syphilis testing by the public health laboratory; and
• Expand access to PrEP and PEP (HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis and HIV post-exposure prophylaxis).

Work Group Forming- Apply Now

We are now accepting letters of interest. To be considered, please access the application below, answer the questions, and submit your responses via email to STIworkgroup@doh.wa.gov by September 24, 2021. We intend to select suggested workgroup members by October 4, 2021, and will advance the selected names to the Governor’s Office for appointment at that time.

The application also includes proviso expectations and required work group member representation, but membership will not be limited to the list. The ideal candidates will be those directly affected by the issues and/or employed by organizations identified in the proviso who are familiar with the issues that will be discussed, and who are prepared to contribute to a productive discussion of the issues.  

DOH Sexually Transmitted Infections Proviso Work Group Application (PDF)

DOH Sexually Transmitted Infections Proviso Work Group Application (Word)

Work Group meetings will be open to the public and interested parties, but only appointed workgroup members may decide on the final recommendations. Public meeting information will be shared widely once available to keep everyone informed on these efforts.

Please forward this announcement to others who might be interested. 

Sincerely,

DOH Office of Infectious Disease