This bill proposes the consolidation of the public employees' benefits board and the school employees' benefits board into a single entity called the Washington employees and retirees benefits board. It amends various sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) to reflect this change, including the definitions of "board" and "employee," which now encompass both state and school employees. The bill introduces new sections to the RCW and repeals several existing sections related to the separate boards. Key amendments clarify that the new board will manage benefits for both public and school employees, and it ensures that employees eligible prior to January 1, 2010, will not have their eligibility terminated under the new criteria unless specific conditions are met.

Additionally, the bill outlines the responsibilities of the Washington State Health Care Authority, including the administration of health care benefit programs and the establishment of a community-rated risk pool for state-purchased health services starting January 1, 2027. It introduces provisions for premium payments, waiving premiums for the month of death, and ensuring that surviving dependents are enrolled in the same health plan. The bill also emphasizes the need for chronic care management programs, telemedicine reimbursement, and immediate postpartum contraception coverage, while establishing new eligibility criteria for benefits and streamlining the overall administration of employee benefits in Washington.

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