HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2959

As Amended by the Senate

BYRepresentatives Bennett, Dorn, Pruitt, Brumsickle and G. Fisher 

Authorizing school districts to require health insurance for students participating in extracurricular activities.

House Committe on Education

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (16)

      Signed by Representatives Peery, Chair; G. Fisher, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Ranking Republican Member; Brumsickle, Cole, Dorn, Holland, Horn, Jones, Phillips, Pruitt, Rasmussen, Rayburn, Schoon, Walker and K. Wilson.

House Staff:Susan Patrick (786-7111)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 9, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Currently there is no requirement that students be covered by health insurance to participate in extracurricular activities.  There is also no clear authority for school districts to establish a clear policy requiring such coverage as a condition of participation.

SUMMARY:

School districts may require a student to be covered by health insurance to participate in interschool activities.  The student may satisfy this requirement by showing evidence of insurance carried by the student's family or the purchase of such coverage. If such a policy is adopted, the district must establish a method of waiving or reducing premiums for students from low income families.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENTS:  The amendments make clear:

1.  A district may require the proof of coverage or purchase of insurance as a condition of allowing a student to participate in interschool extracurricular activities; and

2.  A school district's board of directors must determine what is adequate coverage to cover the medical expenses which may result from an injury sustained and adopt regulations for waiving or reducing premiums for lower income students for coverage offered by the district so such students are not prohibited from participating in extracurricular interschool activities.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Representative Don Bennett; and Dwayne Slate, Washington State School Directors Association.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Currently state law does not clearly authorize school districts to require a student to purchase or provide proof of insurance in order to participate in extracurricular activities.  This is an important method of risk management for school districts and for students.  We recognize the need to provide waivers and reduction of premiums for students who do not have or cannot afford to purchase insurance.  We have no intention of excluding the student for lack of financial resources.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.

VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Yeas 95; Excused 3

Excused:    Representatives Basich, Chandler, Sommers D