H-1716              _______________________________________________

                                            SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 89

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By House Committee on State Government (originally sponsored by Representatives H. Sommers, Hankins, Belcher, Sayan, B. Williams, Locke, Hine, Valle, P. King, Fisch, Schoon, Lux, Basich, Winsley, Unsoeld and Brekke; by request of Department of Personnel)

Read first time 2/13/87 and referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

AN ACT Relating to wellness programs for state employees; amending RCW 41.06.280; adding new sections to chapter 41.04 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature finds that:

          (1) Improved health among employees will result in a more productive workforce, better morale, reduced stress, lower injury rates and absenteeism, and improved recruitment and retention rates;

          (2) A substantial amount of illness and injury in the work force is preventable because it results from lifestyle decisions;

          (3) Illness and injury among state employees can be reduced if employees engage in healthier lifestyles.

          The state, as an employer, desires to foster a working environment that promotes the health and well-being of its employees.   Therefore, it is the purpose of this act to establish a state employee wellness program.  "Wellness program" means those policies, procedures, and activities that promote the health and well-being of state employees and that contribute to a healthful work environment.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 41.04 RCW to read as follows:

          (1) The director of the department of personnel, in consultation with applicable state agencies and employee organizations, may develop and administer a voluntary state employee wellness program.

          (2) The director may:

          (a) Develop and implement state employee wellness policies, procedures, and activities;

          (b) Disseminate wellness educational materials to state agencies and employees;

          (c) Encourage the establishment of wellness activities in state agencies;

          (d) Provide technical assistance and training to agencies conducting wellness activities for their employees;

          (e) Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of this program, including the collection, analysis, and publication of relevant statistical information; and

          (f) Perform other duties and responsibilities as necessary to carry out the purpose of this section.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  A new section is added to chapter 41.04 RCW to read as follows:

          All information, identifying a participating employee, gathered in the process of conducting the program shall be held in strict confidence and shall not in any way jeopardize any employee's job security, promotional opportunities, or other employment rights.

        Sec. 4.  Section 28, chapter 1, Laws of 1961 as last amended by section 45, chapter 7, Laws of 1984 and RCW 41.06.280 are each amended to read as follows:

          There is hereby created a fund within the state treasury, designated as the "Department of Personnel Service Fund," to be used by the board as a revolving fund for the payment of salaries, wages, and operations required for the administration of the provisions of this chapter, applicable provisions of chapter 41.04 RCW, and chapter 41.60 RCW.  An amount not to exceed one percent of the approved allotments of salaries and wages for all positions in the classified service in each of the agencies subject to this chapter, except the institutions of higher learning, shall be charged to the operations appropriations of each agency and credited to the department of personnel service fund as the allotments are approved pursuant to chapter 43.88 RCW.  Subject to the above limitations, the amount shall be charged against the allotments pro rata, at a rate to be fixed by the director from time to time which, together with income derived from services rendered under RCW 41.06.080, will provide the department with funds to meet its anticipated expenditures during the allotment period.

          The director of personnel shall fix the terms and charges for services rendered by the department of personnel pursuant to RCW 41.06.080, which amounts shall be credited to the department of personnel service fund and charged against the proper fund or appropriation of the recipient of such services on a quarterly basis.  Payment for services so rendered under RCW 41.06.080 shall be made on a quarterly basis to the state treasurer and deposited by him in the department of personnel service fund.

          Moneys from the department of personnel service fund shall be disbursed by the state treasurer by warrants on vouchers duly authorized by the board.