HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2295

BYRepresentatives Sayan, Wolfe and Basich

Revising provisions for reimbursement to department of social and health services employees for costs related to assaults.

House Committe on Human Services

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Sayan, Chair; Scott, Vice Chair; Moyer, Ranking Republican Member; Tate, Assistant Ranking Republican Member; Anderson, Brekke, Hargrove, Leonard, Raiter, Padden and Winsley.

House Staff:John Welsh (786-7133)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 9, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Currently, institutional care employees of the Departments of Social and Health Services and Veterans Affairs who provide direct care and are innocent victims of physical assaults by residents, patients, and juvenile offenders can be reimbursed for any sick leave taken or salary lost as a result of the assault, supplementary to benefits provided under the industrial insurance laws.

SUMMARY:

All employees of the Departments of Social and Health Services and Veterans Affairs are eligible for reimbursement for costs related to assaults by residents, patients, and juvenile offenders.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 10, 1990.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Mark Brown, Washington Federation of State Employees.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    State employees working in state institutions are often subject to abuse and assaults by patients, residents, and juvenile offenders.  The intent of the program established in 1986 was to reimburse these employees for their time and salary lost as a result of physical injuries caused by these assaults.  However, the program is being interpreted to apply only to "direct care" employees.  While the vast majority of assaults occur to such employees, there are a handful of other employees who are innocent victims of assault.  These should be included in the program too out of a sense of equity, justice and compassion.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.