HOUSE BILL REPORT

2SHB 89

BYHouse Committee on Ways & Means/Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives H. Sommers, Hankins, Belcher, Sayan, B. Williams, Locke, Hine, Valle, P. King, Fisch, Schoon, Lux, Basich, Winsley, Unsoeld and Brekke; by request of Department of Personnel)

Establishing wellness program for state employees.

House Committe on State Government

Majority Report:     The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (7)

     Signed by Representatives H. Sommers, Chair; Peery, Vice Chair; Baugher, Chandler, O'Brien, Sayan and Taylor.

House Staff:Pam Madson (786-7135)

Rereferred House Committee on Ways & Means/Appropriations

Majority Report:     The second substitute bill be substituted therefor and the second substitute bill do pass.  (14)

     Signed by Representatives Locke, Chair; Allen, Belcher, Brekke, Ebersole, Hine, Holland, McMullen, Peery, Sayan, Silver, L. Smith, H. Sommers and B. Williams.

Minority Report:     Do not pass.  (6)

     Signed by Representatives Braddock, Fuhrman, McLean, Nealey, Niemi and Sprenkle.

House Staff:    Randy Acker (786-7153)

AS OF HOUSE SECOND READING MARCH 16, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Recent clinical evidence shows that about 50 percent of premature deaths, and a significant number of illnesses and injuries in the U.S. are due to unhealthy lifestyles.  This evidence has helped spur a proliferation of employee "wellness" (i.e., health promotion and fitness) programs throughout the U.S. in both the private and public sectors.

In June 1986, the Department of Personnel (DOP) hired a consulting firm to study the possibility of establishing a wellness program for Washington State employees.  On January 1, 1987, DOP released the firm's final report.  The report recommended that a separate unit with four full-time employees be created within DOP to implement a statewide wellness program.

The report recommended a 1987-89 biennium program budget of approximately $490,000 to serve the state's 41,000-plus merit system employees, and approximately $250,000 to serve the state's 30,000-plus higher education employees.  The Governor's budget request for the 1987-89 biennium includes only the $490,000 amount.

SUMMARY:

The Washington State Department of Personnel (DOP) may develop and administer a voluntary state employee wellness program. Toward this end, the DOP director may:  (1) implement wellness policies, procedures, and activities; (2) encourage state agencies to establish wellness activities, and provide them with educational materials and technical assistance and training; and (3) track program effectiveness.

Information identifying employees participating in the program must be treated confidentially; it cannot be used to jeopardize any employee's job security, promotional opportunities, or other employment rights.

The DOP Service Fund can be used to administer the wellness program.

Fiscal Note:    Attached.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:     (State Government)  Julia Graham and Bud Atkins, Department of Personnel; Larry Chapman, Corporate Health Designs; Les Brown, Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports; Dorothy Gerard, Higher Education Personnel Board; Ann Peterson, St. Peter Hospital; Fred Hellberg, Governor's Office; Eugene St. John, Washington Public Employees Association; Mark Brown, Washington Federation of State Employees; and Susan Johnson, Service Employees International Union.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations)Leonard Nord, Department of Personnel; Fred Hellberg, Governors Office; Scott Sigman, Washington Federation of State Employees; Dorothy Gerard, Higher Education Personnel Board; Patria Robinson-Martin, Department of Corrections.

House Committee - Testified Against: (State Government)  Don Doonan, state employee.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations)  None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:     (State Government)  Following the lead of other states, the bill would designate a single state agency to guide, coordinate, and expand existing state agency wellness efforts.  The bill would result in increased worker productivity by helping to prevent illnesses, injuries, and deaths.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations)  Creation of a wellness program will help to increase productivity and reduce employee absenteeism by reducing injuries and illness.

House Committee - Testimony Against: (State Government)  Although the concept of a state wellness program is sound, the bill in ineffective because its wellness program focuses too much on information dissemination and is housed within the wrong state agency.  Preferred alternatives include:  (1) negotiations by the Department of General Administration to install showers in all state buildings; and (2) provision of a wellness program to state employees through Blue Cross or the Department of Social and Health Services.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations) None Presented.