PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 162-30 WAC, Sex discrimination, clarifying the definitions of "pregnancy" and "pregnancy related conditions" and regulating employer-provided health insurance coverage of prescription contraceptives.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 49.60.120(3).
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: To clarify the scope of pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions for the purposes of the law against discrimination as related to sex discrimination in employment. To provide guidance on whether the law requires employer-provided health insurance to cover pregnancy related conditions, including prescription contraceptives, no less favorably than other covered medical conditions.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces federal civil rights law. The EEOC and the Washington State Departments of Health, Personnel, Social and Health Services, and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, have been invited to participate in the advisory workgroup that will help to develop possible rules.
Process for Developing New Rule: Advisory workgroups.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. The commission encourages interested parties to take part in the advisory workgroups or submit written comments. Please contact Martin Casey, P.O. Box 42490, Olympia, WA 98504-2490, phone (360) 586-5765, fax (360) 586-2282.
June 1, 1999
Sue J. Jordan
Executive Director