Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Health Care Committee

HB 1741

Brief Description:  Providing a plan of health insurance for blind vendors.

Sponsors:  Representatives Hunt, Fromhold, Alexander and Armstrong.

Brief Summary of Bill

$The Public Employee= Benefits Board will provide health insurance benefits for blind licensees who are actively operating facilities and participating in the business enterprises program.

Hearing Date:  2/15/01

Staff:  Dave Knutson (786‑7146).

Background: 

The Public Employee= Benefits Board designs and approves health insurance benefit plans for state employees, school district employees, and retirees.

Summary of Bill: 

Blind licensees who operate facilities and participate in the business enterprise program are eligible for health insurance offered by the Public Employee= Benefits Board.  The health insurance benefits will be the same or substantially similar to the plan of health insurance offered to state employees.  The costs of providing health insurance for blind licensees will be paid from net proceeds from vending machine operations in public buildings.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 13, 2001.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.