The bill amends RCW 41.05.065 to improve the benefits provided by the public employees' benefits board, with a strong focus on 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 clear eligibility criteria for employees, seasonal workers, faculty, and elected officials, ensuring that benefits are accessible based on their employment status and hours worked. Notably, it mandates the offering of health savings accounts and high deductible health plans, while also allowing for the possibility of waiving coverage under certain conditions.

In a significant change, the bill removes the requirement for the public employees' benefits board to review plans for property and casualty insurance and long-term care insurance, thereby streamlining the board's responsibilities to focus on health care and related benefits. Furthermore, it expands the board's authority to study and establish evaluation criteria for a variety of new employee-paid, voluntary benefits, including emergency transportation, identity protection, legal aid, and more, contingent upon available funding. The bill also empowers the board to impose penalties on employing agencies that fail to comply with eligibility determinations, aiming to enhance the benefits available to public employees while ensuring adherence to established criteria.

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