Z-1278.2  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 6586

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington   57th Legislature        2002 Regular Session

By Senators Thibaudeau and Deccio; by request of Department of Health

Read first time 01/22/2002.  Referred to Committee on Health & Long‑Term Care.

Transferring the human immunodeficiency virus insurance program to the department of health.

    AN ACT Relating to the human immunodeficiency virus insurance program; adding a new section to chapter 43.70 RCW; repealing RCW 74.09.757; and providing an effective date.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  RCW 74.09.757 (Acquired human immunodeficiency syndrome insurance program (HIV/AIDS)) and 1993 c 264 s 1 & 1989 c 260 s 3 are each repealed.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 43.70 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) "Human immunodeficiency virus insurance program," as used in this section, means the program that provides health insurance coverage for individuals with human immunodeficiency virus, as defined in RCW 70.24.017(7), who meet eligibility requirements established by the department of health.

    (2) The department of health may pay for health insurance coverage on behalf of persons with human immunodeficiency virus, who meet department eligibility requirements, and who are eligible for "continuation coverage" as provided by the federal consolidated omnibus budget reconciliation act of 1985, group health insurance policies, or individual policies.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  This act takes effect July 1, 2002.

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