SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6755

BYSenators Lee, Smitherman, Talmadge, Matson, Saling, Anderson and Warnke

Pertaining to industrial insurance for independent contractor nurses.

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 30, 1990

Senate Staff:Forrest Bathurst (786-7429)

AS OF JANUARY 30, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Registered nurses wishing to make independent contracts with health care facilities, either on their own or with the assistance of a referral service, are asking for statutory language recognizing them as independent contractors.

SUMMARY:

Independently contracting registered nurses (RCW 18.88) are added to "Worker" --Exceptions (RCW 51.08.180) and Employments excluded (RCW 51.12.020) for the purposes of industrial insurance.  These changes give independently contracting registered nurses a choice of making their own industrial insurance premiums, carrying private medical or accident insurance, or foregoing any coverage and relying on personal funds to cover expenses associated with a work related injury.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:   none

Fiscal Note:    requested January 28, 1990