The bill amends RCW 41.05.065 to enhance the benefits provided by the public employees' benefits board, with a strong focus on improving health care coverage and various insurance options for employees and their dependents. It introduces comprehensive health care benefits, cost containment strategies, wellness incentives, and effective coordination of benefits. The bill establishes specific eligibility criteria for employees, seasonal workers, faculty, and elected officials, ensuring that benefits are accessible based on employment conditions. It also allows for the creation of health savings accounts and high deductible health plans, promoting cost-efficient managed health care systems.

In addition to these enhancements, the bill removes previous provisions regarding the public employees' benefits board's review of property and casualty insurance plans and the requirement to offer long-term care insurance by a certain date. This streamlining allows the board to concentrate on health care benefits while maintaining flexibility in employee eligibility and participation in various insurance options. Furthermore, the bill expands the board's authority to study and establish additional employee-paid, voluntary benefits, such as emergency transportation and identity protection, and allows the board to impose penalties on agencies that fail to comply with eligibility criteria. Overall, the bill aims to modernize and improve the benefits framework for public employees in Washington State.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 41.05.065
Bill as Passed Legislature: 41.05.065
Session Law: 41.05.065