The bill amends existing laws concerning wellness incentives for public and school employee health benefit plans in Washington State, replacing the term "wellness incentives" with "wellness initiatives." It outlines specific focus areas for these initiatives, including smoking cessation and nutrition education. A significant change introduced by the bill is the discontinuation of the smart health program by the public employees' benefits board as of January 1, 2028. Employees who qualify for the wellness incentive by December 31, 2027, will still receive it for the 2028 plan year, but no new wellness incentives will be available after that date.

Additionally, the bill modifies the structure and responsibilities of both the public employees' benefits board and the school employees' benefits board, emphasizing comprehensive health care benefits and eligibility criteria. It establishes staggered terms for board members, mandates compensation and reimbursement for travel expenses, and allows for substitutes for employees serving on the board without salary deductions. The bill also includes provisions for penalties for non-compliance with eligibility determinations and requires a review of benefit plans by November 30, 2021, to evaluate cost savings and effectiveness.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 41.05.065, 41.05.740
Bill as Passed Legislature: 41.05.065, 41.05.740
Session Law: 41.05.065, 41.05.740