H-4171.1          _______________________________________________

                                  HOUSE BILL 2770

                  _______________________________________________

State of Washington              52nd Legislature             1992 Regular Session

By Representatives H. Myers, Paris, Jones, Winsley and Peery

Read first time 01/27/92.  Referred to Committee on Human Services.Providing for health care coverage of corrections employees who are retired early due to permanent disability from an on the job injury.

     AN ACT Relating to health care coverage for permanently disabled corrections officers; and amending RCW 41.05.080.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

     Sec. 1.  RCW 41.05.080 and 1977 ex.s. c 136 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Retired or disabled state employees, or employees of county, municipal, or other political subdivisions covered by this chapter who are retired, may continue their participation in insurance plans and contracts after retirement or disablement, under the qualifications, terms, conditions, and benefits set by the board:  PROVIDED, That the rates charged such retired or disabled employees for health care will be developed from the same experience pool as active employees:  PROVIDED FURTHER, That such retired or disabled employees shall bear the full cost of premiums required to provide such coverage except as provided under subsection (2) of this section:  PROVIDED FURTHER, That such self pay rates will be established based on a separate rate for the employee, the spouse, and the children:  PROVIDED FURTHER, That rates for a retired or disabled employee, spouse, or child who is eligible for and who elects to apply for medicare will be actuarially reduced to reflect the value of Part A and Part B of medicare.  The term "retired state employees" for the purpose of this section shall include but not be limited to members of the legislature whether voluntarily or involuntarily leaving state office.

(2) Any department of corrections corrections officer who receives an injury on the job that results in permanent disability and early retirement shall continue full participation under the state employees' health care insurance plan if no other state or federal assistance is provided to the individual for that purpose.  The full cost of the health care insurance premiums shall be covered by the state.