The bill amends RCW 49.28.130 to clarify the definition of "employee" within health care facilities for the purposes of mandatory overtime provisions. The updated definition specifies that an "employee" is someone employed by a health care facility who is involved in direct patient care activities or clinical services and receives an hourly wage or is covered by a collective bargaining agreement. The previous requirement that an employee must be a licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, or other specific health care roles has been removed. Additionally, the bill introduces new definitions for terms such as "overtime," "on-call time," and "unforeseeable emergent circumstance," while also establishing that the definition of "employee" prior to January 1, 2025, will apply to certain hospitals until July 1, 2025.

Furthermore, the bill specifies that "overtime" refers to hours worked beyond a predetermined shift, not exceeding 12 hours in a 24-hour period or 80 hours in a 14-day period. It also outlines the reasonable efforts an employer must make to obtain staffing coverage and defines various emergency circumstances that may affect health care services. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2025, and includes a provision for expiration on July 1, 2025, for the specific definitions applicable to certain hospitals.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 49.28.130
Substitute Bill: 49.28.130
Bill as Passed Legislature: 49.28.130
Session Law: 49.28.130