FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 1741

C 71 L 02

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Providing a plan of health insurance for blind vendors.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Hunt, Fromhold, Alexander and Armstrong).

House Committee on Health Care

House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Health & Long‑Term Care

Background:

The Business Enterprise Program trains and licenses legally blind people to manage vending routes, gift shops, and food service facilities in government buildings.  There are currently 19 vendors in the program, which is administered by the Department of Services for the Blind.  The vendors are not state employees, and as such, are not eligible for health insurance through the Public Employees= Benefits Board.  The Public Employees= Benefits Board designs and approves health insurance benefit plans for state employees, school district employees, and retirees.

Summary:

Blind licensees who operate facilities and participate in the Business Enterprise Program are eligible for health insurance offered by the Public Employees' Benefits Board.  The health insurance benefits will be the same or substantially similar to the plan of health insurance offered to state employees.  The costs of providing health insurance for blind licensees will be paid from net proceeds from vending machine operations in public buildings.

Votes on Final Passage:

House940

Senate470

Effective:  June 13, 2002