BILL REQ. #:  Z-1053.1 

Read first time 01/15/10.   Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

     AN ACT Relating to a study of disability benefit options for plan 2 and plan 3 members of the public employees' retirement system, the teachers' retirement system, and the school employees' retirement system; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The Washington state institute for public policy shall continue the study of long-term disability benefits for public employees as authorized in section 105, chapter 564, Laws of 2009, during the 2010 interim for the limited purpose of continuing to develop the options identified in the study, which included public employees' benefits board programs, other long-term disability insurance programs, and public employee retirement system benefits. The institute shall report no later than November 17, 2010, new findings and any additional recommendations on the options to the select committee on pension policy, the senate committee on ways and means, and the house committee on ways and means.
     For the options that directly impact the public employees' benefits board, the health care authority shall coordinate analysis and recommendations with its contracted disability vendor and appropriate stakeholders. The health care authority shall institute an improved communication program to increase awareness of the importance of participating in the employer's optional long-term disability insurance plan. The health care authority shall report on its activities, findings, and recommendations no later than November 17, 2010, to the select committee on pension policy, the senate committee on ways and means, and the house committee on ways and means.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill or chapter number, is not provided by June 30, 2010, in the omnibus appropriations act, this act is null and void.