SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6414

BYSenators Kreidler, Lee, Smith and Conner

Providing limited duty work or leave for pregnant fire fighters and law enforcement officers.

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 25, 1988; February 4, 1988; February 5, 1988

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6414 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Lee, Chairman; Conner, Deccio, McMullen, Smitherman, Warnke, Williams.

Senate Staff:David Cheal (786-7576)

                  February 12, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & LABOR, FEBRUARY 5, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Law enforcement officers and firefighters hired after October 1, 1977 are provided disability leave for only duty related disabilities.  For women in physically demanding employment such as that of a firefighter or law enforcement officer, a rather long leave without pay is experienced in the event of pregnancy, compared to the length of leave required in jobs that are not physically demanding.

SUMMARY:

Cities, counties, and other municipal corporations are required to provide either limited duty work to pregnant law enforcement officers or firefighters or provide pregnancy leave with pay until the conclusion of the pregnancy.

Employers are expressly allowed to enter into agreements providing greater benefits than those provided by the act.  Existing agreements are unaffected.

The usual Bakenhus disclaimer is provided indicating that no vested right or contractual obligation is granted.

The act is declared not to be subject to interest arbitration as defined in the public employees relations act, Chapter 41.56 RCW.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

Employers are required to make a good faith effort to provide limited duty assignments to pregnant public safety officers.  The limited duty assignments may be made anywhere within city or county employment.  Employers may alter or suspend merit system rules if necessary to accomplish the limited duty assignment.  Bargaining units who receive limited duty assignees may not file a grievance or unfair labor practice petition based on the assignment.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 22, 1988

Senate Committee - Testified: Carolyn Barclift (for); Carol Solberg, Association of Female Firefighters (for); Barbara Greene (for); Stanley L. Thant, City of Tacoma (for); Kathleen Collins, AWC (against); Mike Vandiver, WASPC (against); Pete Spiller (against); Loris A. Gies