BILL REQ. #:  H-4847.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/06/04.   

     AN ACT Relating to health care services; adding a new section to chapter 41.05 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 74.09 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 41.05 RCW to read as follows:
     For purposes of this section only, "small employer" means any person, firm, corporation, partnership, association, political subdivision, or self-employed individual that is actively engaged in business that, during the preceding calendar quarter, employed no more than fifty employees who worked an average of thirty or more hours per week.
     For purposes of this section only, "large employer" means any person, firm, corporation, partnership, association, political subdivision, or self-employed individual that is actively engaged in business that, during the preceding calendar quarter, employed more than fifty employees who worked an average of thirty or more hours per week.
     The administrator shall identify the employers of any person receiving benefits through the basic health plan for themselves or their dependents. On or before February 1st of each year, the administrator shall provide the appropriate committees of the senate and house of representatives a report of employers whose employees are receiving benefits through the basic health plan for themselves or their dependents. The report must include whether the employer is a large employer or a small employer, and for each employer: (1) The name and address of the employer; (2) the number of employees who are receiving benefits through the basic health plan; (3) the number of enrollees who are spouses or dependents of their employees; (4) whether the employer offers health benefits to their employees; and (5) the cost to the state of providing basic health plan benefits for their employees and enrolled dependents.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 74.09 RCW to read as follows:
     For purposes of this section only, "small employer" means any person, firm, corporation, partnership, association, political subdivision, or self-employed individual that is actively engaged in business that, during the preceding calendar quarter, employed no more than fifty employees who worked an average of thirty or more hours per week.
     For purposes of this section only, "large employer" means any person, firm, corporation, partnership, association, political subdivision, or self-employed individual that is actively engaged in business that, during the preceding calendar quarter, employed more than fifty employees who worked an average of thirty or more hours per week.
     The department shall identify the employers of any person receiving benefits through medical assistance for themselves or their dependents. On or before February 1st of each year, the department shall provide the appropriate committees of the senate and house of representatives a report of employers whose employees are receiving benefits through medical assistance for themselves or their dependents. The report must include whether the employer is a large employer or a small employer, and for each employer: (1) The name and address of the employer; (2) the number of employees who are receiving benefits through medical assistance; (3) the number of enrollees who are spouses or dependents of their employees; (4) whether the employer offers health benefits to their employees; and (5) the cost to the state of providing medical assistance for their employees and enrolled dependents.