FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1260

                                  C 1 L 87 E2

BYRepresentatives Grimm, Brough, Lewis, Beck, Walker, Betrozoff, Ballard, McLean, Moyer, Fisch, Amondson, Miller, Doty, C. Smith, Silver, Chandler, D. Sommers, Fisher, P. King, Schoon,  Brooks, Leonard, May and Ferguson; by request of Governor Gardner

Providing minimum wages for low wage earner nursing home employees.

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Legislation was passed during the 1987 legislative session authorizing the Department of Social and Health Services to raise the minimum wages paid to nursing home employees.  In addition, the department is required to provide wage increases for employees with seniority when the minimum wage is raised.  The 1987-89 Appropriations Act provided funding for the minimum wage increase.  It did not provide funds for the wage increase required for employees with seniority.

The governor vetoed the budget proviso language setting minimum wage standards for nursing home employees.

SUMMARY:

Funds are added to the 1987-89 Appropriations Act to fund wage increases for nursing home employees with seniority.  The biennial appropriation is increased by $3 million, of which $1.4 million is from the general fund-state.

The Department of Social and Health Services is authorized to limit reimbursement to the amount appropriated for legislatively authorized enhancement of nonadministrative wages and benefits above the moneys necessary to fund minimum wage.

Nursing homes contracting with the Department of Social and Health Services are required to establish minimum wages for their staff of $4.76/hour beginning January 1, 1988, and $5.15/hour beginning January 1, 1989.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 92   0

      Senate    45     0

EFFECTIVE:August 11, 1987