Section 28A.400.280. Employee benefits—Employer contributions.

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, school districts may provide employer fringe benefit contributions after October 1, 1990, only for basic benefits. However, school districts may continue payments under contracts with employees or benefit providers in effect on April 13, 1990, until the contract expires.

(2) School districts may provide employer contributions after October 1, 1990, for optional benefit plans, in addition to basic benefits, only for employees included in pooling arrangements under this subsection. Optional benefits may include direct agreements as defined in chapter 48.150 RCW, but may not include employee beneficiary accounts that can be liquidated by the employee on termination of employment. Optional benefit plans may be offered only if:

(a) The school district pools benefit allocations among employees using a pooling arrangement that includes at least one employee bargaining unit and/or all nonbargaining group employees;

(b) Each full-time employee included in the pooling arrangement is offered basic benefits, including coverage for dependents;

(c) Each employee included in the pooling arrangement who elects medical benefit coverage pays a minimum premium charge subject to collective bargaining under chapter 41.59 or 41.56 RCW;

(d) The employee premiums are structured to ensure employees selecting richer benefit plans pay the higher premium;

(e) Each full-time employee included in the pooling arrangement, regardless of the number of dependents receiving basic coverage, receives the same additional employer contribution for other coverage or optional benefits; and

(f) For part-time employees included in the pooling arrangement, participation in optional benefit plans shall be governed by the same eligibility criteria and/or proration of employer contributions used for allocations for basic benefits.

(3) Savings accruing to school districts due to limitations on benefit options under this section shall be pooled and made available by the districts to reduce out-of-pocket premium expenses for employees needing basic coverage for dependents. School districts are not intended to divert state benefit allocations for other purposes.

[ 2012 2nd sp.s. c 3 § 2; 2011 c 269 § 1; 1990 1st ex.s. c 11 § 6.]

NOTES:

Findings—Goals—Intent—2012 2nd sp.s. c 3: See note following RCW 28A.400.275.

Intent—1990 1st ex.s. c 11: See note following RCW 28A.400.200.

2012 2nd sp.s. c 3 § 2; 2011 c 269 § 1; 1990 1st ex.s. c 11 § 6.