HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESB 5217

As Amended by the House

BYSenators Wojahn, Zimmerman, Kreidler, Fleming, Kiskaddon, Lee and Johnson; by request of Department of Personnel

Establishing wellness program for state employees.

House Committe on State Government

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendments.  (7)

      Signed by Representatives H. Sommers, Chair; Peery, Vice Chair; Baugher, Hankins, O'Brien, Sayan and Walk.

House Staff:Pam Madson (786-7135)

Rereferred House Committee on Ways & Means/Appropriations

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendments by Committee on State Government.  (23)

      Signed by Representatives Locke, Chair; Allen, Belcher, Braddock, Brekke, Bristow, Ebersole, Fuhrman, Grant, Grimm, Hine, Holland, McLean, McMullen, Nealey, Niemi, Peery, Sayan, Silver, L. Smith, H. Sommers, Sprenkle and B. Williams.

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 15, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Recent clinical evidence shows that about 50 percent of premature deaths, and a significant number of illnesses and injuries in the United States, are due to unhealthy lifestyles.  This evidence has helped spur a proliferation of employee "wellness" (i.e., health promotion and fitness) programs throughout the country in both the private and public sectors.

In June 1986, the Department of Personnel (DOP) hired a consulting firm to study the possibility of establishing a wellness program for Washington State employees.  On January 1, 1987, DOP released the firm's final report.  The report recommended that a separate unit with four full-time employees be created within DOP to implement a statewide wellness program.

The report recommended a 1987-89 biennium program budget of approximately $490,000 to serve the state's 41,000-plus merit system employees, and approximately $250,000 to serve the state's 30,000-plus higher education employees.  The Governor's budget request for the 1987-89 biennium includes only the $490,000 amount.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Personnel (DOP) may develop and administer a voluntary state employee wellness program.  Toward this end, the DOP director may:  (1) Implement wellness policies, procedures, and activities; (2) encourage state agencies to establish wellness activities, and provide them with educational materials and technical assistance and training; (3) track program effectiveness; and (4) allow agencies to impose a fee on participating employees for specific activities.

No wellness program involving organized or systematic physical exercise may be conducted during normal working hours.

Information identifying employees participating in the program must be treated confidentially; it cannot be used to jeopardize any employee's job security, promotional opportunities, or other employment rights.

The DOP Service Fund can be used to administer the wellness program.

Fiscal Note:      Attached.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    (State Government)  None Presented.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations)  Leonard Nord, Director Department of Personnel.

House Committee - Testified Against:      (State Government)  None Presented.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations)  None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    (State Government)  None Presented.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations)  The bill is important because it provides a statement of the legislature's intent that the Department of Personnel develop a wellness program.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      (State Government)  None Presented.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations)  None Presented.