FINAL BILL REPORT
SHB 1189
C 125 L 03
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Revising authority of public hospital districts to pay recruitment expenses and employee training and education expenses.
Sponsors: By House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Alexander, Cody, Skinner, Schual-Berke, Pflug, Morrell, Moeller, Darneille, Clibborn, Campbell and Bailey).
House Committee on Health Care
Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care
Background:
Public hospital districts are types of municipal corporations that are authorized to operate hospitals and other health care facilities and provide other hospital and health care services within a specified community. In addition to hospital services, these services may include nursing homes, extended care, long-term care, outpatient and rehabilitation facilities, and ambulance services.
As government entities, the authority of public hospital districts is specifically stated in statute. Public hospital districts may survey existing hospitals and health care facilities, manage property, lease facilities and equipment, borrow money, issue and sell bonds, and raise revenue through levies. Public hospital districts may also reimburse candidates for certain positions for their travel and living expenses associated with attending an interview when an interview is deemed necessary or desirable to achieve adequate staffing. In addition, they may enter into contracts and employ staff, including superintendents, attorneys, and other assistants and employees.
Summary:
Public hospital districts are authorized to pay for the travel and living expenses of candidates for medical, superintendent, and other managerial and technical positions including other health care practitioners and the expenses of family members accompanying the candidate.
Public hospital districts are authorized to enter into contracts with current or prospective employees or medical staff members to provide payment or reimbursement for health care training or education expenses, including debt obligations, in exchange for their services.
Votes on Final Passage:
House 97 0
Senate 49 0
Effective: July 27, 2003