Title: An act relating to worker's compensation parity for agency home care workers.

Brief Description: Providing worker's compensation parity for agency home care workers.

Sponsors: Senators Kohl-Welles, Rasmussen and Kline.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Labor, Commerce, Research & Development: 3/1/05 [w/oRec-WM].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Staff: Jennifer Strus (786-7316)

Background: As employers, home care agencies are required to provide worker's compensation coverage to their employees. To date, each agency has purchased this coverage individually out of its hourly vendor rate, which is currently $14.93. There is a wide variance between agencies in the cost of worker's compensation coverage. This variance is largely based upon experience rating and how aggressively each agency manages its claims.

Until recently, individual providers have not had access to department paid workers' compensation coverage until a recent arbitration settlement.

Summary of Bill: DSHS must provide workers' compensation coverage for the employees of home care agencies who provide in-home personal care services under contracts with the Area Agencies on Aging.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on February 28, 2005.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: This bill would create parity between agency home care workers and independent providers in the workers' compensation system. By bringing agency home care workers into the same pool as the independent providers it will create a larger pool which will result in cost savings for both the state and the agencies.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Melissa Johnson, Addus Healthcare; Nick Federici, Washington Home Care Association; Tom Parker, Home Health Care Association.