OLYMPIA — A bill sponsored by 6th District Sen. Jeff Holy, R-Cheney, helping health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic took effect immediately upon Gov. Jay Inslee’s signing of the measure May 12.
The law created by Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5190 will extend unemployment-insurance eligibility to health-care workers who must leave work to quarantine during a public-health emergency.
It also will provide presumptive workers’ compensation coverage for health-care workers who contract the disease that is the subject of a public-health emergency.
“I’m glad the governor signed this common-sense bill that tries to solve a problem for health-care workers during this and any future pandemic,” Holy said in a statement. “Health-care workers face a serious, immediate threat when they have to treat patients with infectious diseases. It’s important for us to take care of the medical professionals who are being asked to help take care of the public.”
The Senate originally passed the proposal 34-15 on Feb. 25.
Voting no were 4th District Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, 9th District Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, and 7th District Sen. Shelly Short, R-Addy.
The House approved an amended version of the bill, 84-14, on April 8, with 4th District Reps. Rob Chase and Bob McCaslin, both R-Spokane Valley, and 9th District Reps. Mary Dye (R-Pomeroy) and Joe Schmick (R-Colfax) voting no.
The Senate then passed the revised measure, 37-12, on April 19, with only Padden and Short still voting no.
Reader Comments(0)