HOUSE BILL REPORT
SHB 2891
As Passed Legislature
Title: An act relating to school district‑sponsored, nonpaid, work‑based learning experiences.
Brief Description: Providing medical aid benefits coverage for school district‑sponsored, nonpaid, work‑based learning experiences.
Sponsors: By House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Dorn and Springer).
Brief History:
Reported by House Committee on:
Education, February 4, 1994, DPS;
Passed House, February 11, 1994, 96-0;
Amended by Senate;
House concurred;
Passed Legislature, March 5, 1994, 93-0.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 19 members: Representatives Dorn, Chair; Cothern, Vice Chair; Brough, Ranking Minority Member; B. Thomas, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Brumsickle; Carlson; G. Cole; Eide; G. Fisher; Hansen; Holm; Jones; Karahalios; J. Kohl; Patterson; Pruitt; Roland; Stevens and L. Thomas.
Staff: Robert Butts (786-7111).
Background: Many educators and business and labor leaders think that more opportunities should be provided for students to explore different career areas. One approach to achieve this goal is "job-shadowing," in which students spend time in offices, industrial plants and other places of business and commerce.
A concern, however, has been raised about the potential liability faced by a business owner should a student have an accident on the premises.
It has been suggested that the liability exposure would be less if these students were considered as "volunteers" under Workers' Compensation, which would make the students eligible for medical benefits. As a "volunteer," other Workers' Compensation benefits, such as disability benefits, would not be provided.
Summary of Bill: An employer covered under Workers' Compensation may elect to include student volunteers as employees for purposes relating to medical aid benefits. The employer must give notice of its intent to cover its student volunteers prior to the occurrence of an injury or contraction of an occupational disease.
Premiums for coverage of student volunteers shall be paid by the employer who has registered and accepted the services of volunteers.
The Task Force on School-to-work Transitions is to develop guidelines for nonpaid work-based learning experiences for student volunteers and report to the Superintendent of Public Instruction by December 14, 1994.