SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6213

BYSenators West and Rasmussen

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

Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 25, 1990; January 30, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators West, Chairman; Smith, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Johnson, Kreidler, Niemi, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Gregory M. Miller (786-7784)

                  February 15, 1990

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 13, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Institutional care employees of the DSHS and the Department of Veterans Affairs are eligible for reimbursement for expenses related to assaults received from residents, patients, or juvenile offenders.  Reimbursement is considered salary or wages and should therefore be taxed at normal salary rates by the federal government.  Reimbursement is permitted only when the employee has justified absences from work, the assault was not the fault of the employee, and workers' compensation has been approved.  Reimbursement ensures that the assaulted employee will receive full pay for all workdays missed up to one year from the incident, either by providing the full pay or combining with workers' compensation coverage.  However, with the growth of non-institutional treatment and programs, many non-institutional employees are subject to assault by residents, patients, or juvenile offenders but are not covered under the current law.

SUMMARY:

Reimbursement authorization is extended to all employees of the DSHS and the Department of Veterans Affairs for assaults received from residents, patients, or juvenile offenders.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Scott Sigmon, WFSE (pro)