HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                  HB 1971

Brief Description:  Provides teachers on leave of absence as legislators a choice to be reimbursed for the cost of self-pay insurance benefits provide by their school district employer or to receive insurance benefits as a state employee.

Background:  Teachers who are on a leave of absence to serve as a legislator can receive insurance benefits as a state employee provided through the Health Care Authority (HCA).  Many of these teachers also have the option to continue their district-provided insurance benefits during their leave of absence, but on a self-pay basis.  Presented with these choices, teacher-legislators may choose to receive coverage as a state employee and then return to their K-12 provided benefits when they return to their regular employment after the legislative session is over.  Though the teacher-legislator has returned to coverage through their school district, the Legislature continues to pay for insurance benefits for that legislator through the Health Care Authority.

Summary:  Teachers on a leave of absence to serve as legislators can choose between receiving HCA insurance benefits as state employees or reimbursement for the cost of continuing district-provided insurance benefits on a self-pay basis.  The reimbursement cannot exceed the cost of the benefit package provided by the HCA to state employees.

The HCA is directed to adopt rules regarding legislators' option for reimbursement under this act.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 17, 1997.