This bill seeks to merge the Public Employees' Benefits Board and the School Employees' Benefits Board into a new entity called the Washington Employees and Retirees Benefits Board. It amends various sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) to redefine "board" and "employee" to include both state and school employees under the new board. The legislation ensures that employees who were eligible for benefits prior to January 1, 2010, retain their eligibility unless specific conditions apply. Additionally, the bill repeals existing statutes related to the separate boards and updates definitions and roles of stakeholders involved in benefits administration, aiming to streamline the process while preserving the rights of current beneficiaries.

The bill also introduces new provisions regarding health care coverage, including the establishment of a community-rated risk pool for health benefits starting January 1, 2027, and mandates that health plans reimburse telemedicine services under certain conditions. It outlines eligibility criteria for benefits, including provisions for school board members and seasonal employees, and emphasizes the importance of maintaining adequate reserves for insurance programs. Furthermore, the bill includes measures for immediate postpartum contraception coverage, opioid use disorder treatment, and chronic care management, all aimed at enhancing health care access and quality for public employees and their families.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 41.05.004, 41.05.008, 41.05.0091, 41.05.022, 41.05.023, 41.05.050, 41.05.075, 41.05.080, 41.05.083, 41.05.085, 41.05.095, 41.05.120, 41.05.123, 41.05.130, 41.05.140, 41.05.143, 41.05.183, 41.05.195, 41.05.197, 41.05.225, 41.05.300, 41.05.320, 41.05.405, 41.05.410, 41.05.525, 41.05.526, 41.05.528, 41.05.540, 41.05.670, 41.05.700, 41.05.820