SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2959

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

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 20, 1990; February 21, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Bailey, Chairman; Lee, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Bender, Benitz, Craswell, Fleming, Gaspard, Metcalf, Murray, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:Susan Mosborg (786-7439)

                  February 22, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 21, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Currently there is no state requirement that students be covered by health insurance to participate in extracurricular activities.  In addition, there is also no clear authority for local school districts to establish such a requirement as a condition for student participation in an extracurricular activity.

SUMMARY:

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

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENTS:

School districts may specify that the insurance must be adequate to cover medical expenses incurred as a result of injury sustained while the student is participating in the extracurricular activity.

Premiums that districts must reduce in the case of low-income students are limited to those premiums for insurance offered through the district to students participating in extracurricular activities.

Senate Committee - Testified: FOR:  Representative Bennett, prime sponsor; Dwayne Slate, Washington State School Directors