SENATE BILL REPORT

                  ESB 6232

              As Passed Senate, February 11, 2000

 

Title:  An act relating to industrial insurance premiums for employers with drug‑free workplace programs.

 

Brief Description:  Evaluating drug‑free workplace programs.

 

Sponsors:  Senators Fairley, Oke, Hochstatter and Rasmussen; by request of Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Department of Labor & Industries and Department of Social and Health Services.

 

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Labor & Workforce Development:  1/11/2000, 2/3/2000 [DPA].

Passed Senate, 2/11/2000, 44-0.

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

 

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

  Signed by Senators Fairley, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Hochstatter, Kline, Oke and Wojahn.

 

Staff:  Jack Brummel (786-7667)

 

Background:  The Legislature passed legislation in 1996 allowing a 5 percent discount on industrial insurance premiums to employers that establish drug-free workplace programs designed to reduce on-the job injuries.  Under the programs, employers must require substance abuse tests of job applicants and workers involved in job-related injuries.  Employers must also provide an employee assistance program, employee education and supervisor training.

 

The Department of Labor and Industries was required to conduct two evaluations of the programs:  one on their effect on workplace safety and the state=s industrial insurance fund; and the other to determine costs and benefits.  The department was to issue a final comprehen­sive report on each evaluation last year.  The department believes that the program has not been operating long enough to provide adequate data collection for a cost-benefit analysis.

 

Summary of Bill:  The expiration date for the department=s drug-free workplace premium discount program is changed from January 1, 2001 to January 1, 2004.  The department must conduct a cost-benefit evaluation of the program in consultation with the Department of Social and Health Services.

 

Appropriation:  None.

 

Fiscal Note:  Available.

 

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

 

Testimony For:  This is a good bill.  It will continue the drug-free workplace premium discount program so that it can be studied by UW researchers to see if there is any effect on workplace safety.

 

Testimony Against:  None.

 

Testified:  PRO:  Suzanne Mager, Gary Franklin, Labor & Industry; Ken Stark, Henry Gohert, Department of Social and Health Services.