Here are the 2011 bill numbers for the medicine take-back bill in Washington State. Policy summary is attached. Hearings are expected in next couple of weeks. SB 5234 (Senator Adam Kline, 37th District) http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5234&year=2011 HB 1370 (Representative Kevin Van De Wege, 24th District) http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1370&year=2011 SB 5234 and HB 1370 will protect our kids, our families, and our environment by creating a statewide system for secure return and environmentally sound disposal of leftover prescription and over-the-counter medicines from our homes. * Help stop the epidemic of abuse and poisonings, and protect our water quality. * Requires no state funds; budget-neutral to the state. Primarily financed by all drug producers selling medicines in Washington, as part of doing business. Removes financial burden from Sheriffs, police, and local governments. * Not a government-run program. Establishes the non-profit WA Medicine Return Association that will be managed and financed by drug producers. * Total annual costs of the program to drug producers collectively cannot exceed $2.5 million - or about 1 penny for every $16 in sales of medicines annually in Washington. * Federal law has been changed to facilitate take-back of narcotics and controlled substances. * Sheriffs, police, local govt's, and pharmacies in ~12 counties are operating take-back programs but are struggling for funding. Bill Smith Senior Environmental Specialist City of Tacoma Solid Waste Management 3510 S. Mullen Street Tacoma, WA 98409 253-593-7719 Phone 253-591-5547 Fax