S-1141.1  _______________________________________________

 

                         SENATE BILL 5708

          _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington      57th Legislature     2001 Regular Session

 

By Senators Patterson, Prentice and Shin

 

Read first time 01/31/2001.  Referred to Committee on Health & Long‑Term Care.

Preventing denial of insurance coverage for injuries caused by narcotic or alcohol use.


    AN ACT Relating to insurance coverage for injuries sustained because of alcohol or narcotic use; adding a new section to chapter 48.20 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 48.21 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 48.44 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 48.46 RCW; creating a new section; and repealing RCW 48.20.272.

 

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

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 48.20 RCW to read as follows:

    An insurer may not deny coverage for the treatment of an injury solely because the injury was sustained as a consequence of the insured's being intoxicated or under the influence of a narcotic.

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 48.21 RCW to read as follows:

    An insurer may not deny coverage for the treatment of an injury solely because the injury was sustained as a consequence of the insured's being intoxicated or under the influence of a narcotic.

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3.  A new section is added to chapter 48.44 RCW to read as follows:

    A health care service contractor may not deny coverage for the treatment of an injury solely because the injury was sustained as a consequence of the enrolled participant's being intoxicated or under the influence of a narcotic.

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4.  A new section is added to chapter 48.46 RCW to read as follows:

    A health maintenance organization may not deny coverage for the treatment of an injury solely because the injury was sustained as a consequence of the enrolled participant's being intoxicated or under the influence of a narcotic.

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5.  RCW 48.20.272 (Optional standard provision No. 23--Intoxicants and narcotics) and 1951 c 229 s 28 are each repealed.

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6.  This act applies to all contracts issued or renewed on or after the effective date of this act.

 


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