FINAL BILL REPORT

                 SHB 2430

                          C 90 L 94

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Correcting an error concerning midwifery and birth center malpractice insurance.

By House Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance (originally sponsored by Representatives Dyer, Zellinsky, Kessler, Romero, Jones and Springer; by request of Insurance Commissioner).

House Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance

Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce

Background:  In 1993, the Legislature created a Joint Underwriting Association for Midwives and Birthing Centers.  The Insurance Commissioner approves a plan for the establishment of this nonprofit association, which is comprised of all insurance companies authorized by the Insurance Commissioner to write malpractice and casualty insurance.  The joint underwriting association makes malpractice insurance available to licensed midwives, certified nurse midwives, and licensed birthing centers.

The joint underwriting association offers an insurance policy with liability limits of $1 million per individual and $3 million per occurrence.

Summary:  The liability limits for malpractice insurance coverage under the Joint Underwriting Association for Midwives and Birthing Centers are changed.  Coverage is provided for up to $1 million per claim (rather than per individual), $3 million per year (rather than per occurrence), or other minimum levels of mandated coverage as determined by the Department of Health.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  91 0

Senate 43 0

Effective:  March 23, 1994