FINAL BILL REPORT
SHB 2891
C 246 L 94
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Providing medical aid benefits coverage for school district‑sponsored, nonpaid, work‑based learning experiences.
By House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Dorn and Springer).
House Committee on Education
Senate Committee on Education
Background: Many educators and business and labor leaders think that more opportunities should be provided for students to explore different career areas. One approach to achieve this goal is "job-shadowing," in which students spend time in offices, industrial plants and other places of business and commerce.
A concern, however, has been raised about the potential liability faced by a business owner should a student have an accident on the premises.
It has been suggested that the liability exposure would be less if these students were considered as "volunteers" under the state's Workers' Compensation insurance program.
Summary: An employer covered under the state's Workers' Compensation insurance program may elect to include student volunteers as employees for purposes relating to medical aid benefits. The employer must give notice of its intent to cover its student volunteers prior to the occurrence of an injury or contraction of an occupational disease.
Premiums for coverage of student volunteers are to be paid by the employer who has registered and accepted the services of volunteers.
The Task Force on School-to-work Transitions is to develop guidelines for nonpaid work-based learning experiences for student volunteers and report to the Superintendent of Public Instruction by December 14, 1994.