SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6461

BYSenators Bluechel, Gaspard and Rasmussen

Providing reimbursement to state library employees injured while working in state correctional institutions and offices.

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 24, 1990; January 26, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Nelson, Chairman; McCaslin, Vice Chairman; Hayner, Madsen, Newhouse, Niemi, Patrick, Rasmussen, Talmadge, Thorsness.

Senate Staff:Ben Barnes (786-7465)

                  February 9, 1990

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 8, 1990

BACKGROUND:

In 1984 the Legislature created a supplementary program to partially reimburse employees of state correctional institutions who miss work as a result of an inmate assault.  In 1986 and 1987 this same reimbursement program was extended to institutional care employees of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA).  Further legislation clarified the means by which the supplemental reimbursement could be used.  The Washington State Library provides services to staff and residents of all state residential institutions.  Service is provided through branch libraries within the institutions as well as through outreach service in living units.  State Library employees working in institutions of the Department of Corrections (DOC), the Department of Social and Health Services, and the Department of Veterans Affairs have daily contact with these residents and are subject to the same working conditions as the instsitution employees. 

SUMMARY:

Supplemental coverage is extended to Washington State Library employees assigned to branch libraries in the Department of Corrections, the Department of Social and Health Services, and the Department of Veterans Affairs institutions and to State Library employees who substitute in institution branch libraries on an occasional basis.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 22, 1990

Effective Date:July 1, 1990

Senate Committee - Testified: Kristy Coomes, Washington State Library