Sexually Transmitted Infections Workgroup

This page offers information about a planning and report development process to address sexually transmitted infections as required by the WA State Legislature (ESSB 5092, section 222.22).

Read the workgroup's report and recommendations to address sexually transmitted infections and hepatitis B (PDF).

ESSB 5092

Recommending Policy Initiatives and Resources to Address Sexually Transmitted Infections (ESSB 5092)

This past session, the Washington State Legislature passed ESSB 5092, section 222.22 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).

Governor's Budget Proviso - STI Work Group and Recommendations

Department of Health

(22) $50,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal 6 year 2022 and $50,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2023 are provided solely for a work group to make recommendations concerning funding and policy initiatives to address the spread of sexually transmitted infections in Washington.

(a) The work group membership must include, but is not limited to, the following members appointed by the governor:

(i) A representative from the department of health office of infectious disease;

(ii) A representative from the pharmacy quality assurance commission;

(iii) A representative from the Washington medical commission;

(iv) A representative from an organization representing health care providers;

(v) A representative from a local health jurisdiction located east of the crest of the Cascade mountains;

(vi) A representative from a local health jurisdiction located west of the crest of the Cascade mountains;

(vii) At least one representative from an organization working to address health care access barriers for LGBTQ populations;

(viii) At least one representative from an organization working to address health care access barriers for communities of color; and

(ix) At least one representative from an organization working to address health care access barriers for justice involved individuals.

(b) Staff support for the work group shall be provided by the department of health.

(c) The work group shall submit a report to the legislature by 32 December 1, 2022, that includes recommendations to:

(i) Eradicate congenital syphilis and hepatitis B by 2030;

(ii) control the spread of gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia;

(iii) end the need for confirmatory syphilis testing by the public health laboratory; and (

d) expand access to PrEP and PEP.

(d) Recommendations provided by the work group must be prioritized based on need and available funding.

STI Work Group Members

The STI Work Group is comprised of 20, Governor-appointed members that represent the organizations and communities prioritized in ESSB 5092.  Administrative support and statewide data will be provided by a small team from the Office of Infectious Disease at the Washington State Department of Health.

Name

Title

Organizational Affiliation

Emily Mulanax

School-Based Health Center Coordinator

Peninsula Community Health Services

Stephanie Sola

(CO-CHAIR)

Clinician Manager

Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest, Hawai'i, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky

Kirsten Duncan

Lead DIS

Spokane Regional Health District

Amy Person

Health Officer

Benton-Franklin Health District

Matthew Golden

(CO-CHAIR)

Professor of Medicine, University of Washington

Director, PHSKC HIV/STD Program

Director, UW Center for AIDS and STD

Public Health - Seattle & King County & University of Washington

Beau Butler

Prevention Program Manager

Lifelong-Health for All

Kimberly Riano

ARNP

Planned Parenthood (Olympia) & Olympia Free Clinic

Martha Zuniga

Deputy Director

Entre Hermanos

Sarah Murray

Nurse Manager

Blue Mountain Heart to Heart

Katrina May

Program Manager

Seattle Indian Health Board

Hannah Stanfield

Care Improvement & Innovations Manager

Washington Association for Community Health

Taifa (Nomi) Peaks

Pharmacist Consultant

Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission

Jennifer Jones-Vanderleest

Physician, Jail Health Services

Public Health - Seattle & King County

Brenda O'Brien

Project Coordinator

Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs

Lili Navarrete

Commissioner; Director of Public Affairs

Commission on Hispanic Affairs; Raíz Project with Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington and North Idaho

Ashley Hoover

Epidemiologist

Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board

Zandt Bryan

Sexual Health & Prevention Program Manager

Washington State Department of Health

Micah Matthews

Deputy Executive Director

Washington Medical Commission

David Corrado

Development & Communications Manager

People of Color Against AIDS Network
Meetings

Meetings will be held virtually through 2022. All meetings are open to the public and are barrier free for persons with disabilities. Please email STIworkgroup@doh.wa.gov for additional meeting information, materials, or if accommodation or interpreter services are needed. Participants can join the virtual meeting via web conference or by phone.

Webinar access information, links, and meeting materials will be posted here when available.

Next meeting

Recorded meetings

Updates and contact

If you are part of one of the stakeholder groups mentioned in the proviso or another interested party and would like to stay updated on the work group's progress, please send an email to STIworkgroup@doh.wa.gov with a request to be added to the interested parties list.