H-3699.1          _______________________________________________

                                  HOUSE BILL 2666

                  _______________________________________________

State of Washington              54th Legislature             1996 Regular Session

By Representatives Hargrove, Mulliken, Sterk, Goldsmith, Pelesky, McMahan, Hymes, Backlund, Thompson, Campbell and Boldt

Read first time 01/17/96.  Referred to Committee on Law & Justice.

Authorizing employers who provide employment benefits to decline to provide benefits that cover abortions.

     AN ACT Relating to abortion; adding new sections to chapter 49.60 RCW; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 49.60 RCW to read as follows:

     If the employer provides insurance benefits, such as health insurance, for any employee by paying the costs or premiums in whole or in part for such benefits or by participating in negotiating the terms of the insurance policy, the employer may elect to provide such employee no coverage or to provide such employee coverage, in full or in part, for abortion.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 49.60 RCW to read as follows:

     If the employer provides disability benefits, such as a sick leave plan or temporary disability benefit plan, for any employee by paying the costs or premiums in whole or in part for such benefits or by participating in negotiating the terms of such disability benefit plan, the employer may elect to provide such employee no benefits or to provide such employee benefits, in full or in part, for any illness or disability caused by or contributed to by abortion.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, morals, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.

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