The bill addresses the growing syphilis epidemic in Washington state by implementing recommendations from the sexually transmitted infection and hepatitis B virus legislative advisory group. It aims to enhance access to syphilis treatment, particularly for high-risk populations, by allowing medical assistants with telehealth access to a supervising clinician to administer intramuscular injections for syphilis treatment. The bill amends existing laws to clarify the roles and responsibilities of medical assistants, particularly in the context of telemedicine, and introduces expedited partner therapy, which allows healthcare providers to prescribe antibiotics to a patient's sexual partners without requiring an examination of those partners.

Key provisions include the ability for medical assistants to administer intramuscular injections for syphilis treatment under remote supervision and the establishment of expedited partner therapy, which permits healthcare providers to provide medications to partners of patients diagnosed with certain sexually transmitted infections. The bill also includes protections for healthcare providers against liability when using expedited partner therapy, provided they comply with the outlined requirements. The act is declared necessary for the immediate preservation of public health and safety, taking effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 18.360.010, 18.360.050
Substitute Bill: 18.360.050
Engrossed Substitute: 18.360.050
Bill as Passed Legislature: 18.360.010, 18.360.050
Session Law: 18.360.010, 18.360.050