SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5368
As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Judiciary, February 6, 2001
Title: An act relating to child support technical amendments regarding medical support.
Brief Description: Making child support technical amendments regarding medical support.
Sponsors: Senators Long, Costa and Kline; by request of Department of Social and Health Services.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Judiciary: 2/1/01, 2/6/01 [DP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Kline, Chair; Constantine, Vice Chair; Costa, Johnson, Kastama, Long, McCaslin, Roach, Thibaudeau and Zarelli.
Staff: Lilah Amos (786‑7421)
Background: To enforce a parent's obligation to provide medical insurance coverage for a dependent child, the Department of Social and Health Services can send a notice to the non-custodial parent's employer or union requiring that the child be enrolled in an available health insurance plan. The federal government has specified that all states use the same notice and that the department adopt rules specifying the responsibility of employers and health plan administrators in complying with these requirements. Washington statutes do not currently encompass the present federal regulations about medical insurance coverage.
Summary of Bill: The Division of Child Support is authorized to use a national medical support notice to take insurance enrollment action. The Department of Social and Health services is given authority to specify by rule the responsibilities of employers and plan administrators to comply with the requirements of this notice. The department must send the national medical support notice to a new employer of a noncustodial parent within two days after employment is reported.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: The bill enhances the state's ability to enroll children in health insurance plans where parents are required to provide health insurance. The national medical support notice is required by the federal government to be used in all states. It will be easier for employers and plan administrators to complete the forms if they are the same in all states. DSHS needs authority to enact rules outlining the requirements for use of the notice.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: David Stillman, Legislative Coordinator, Division of Child Support, DSHS; Ellen Nolan, Division of Child Support, DSHS.