WA People
BILL · 2009–10 SESSION · LATEST VERSION ESSB 6538

SB 6538: Small groups/insurance

Defining small groups for insurance purposes.

Summary

  • Changes the small group market from two to 50 employees, to one to 50 employees.
  • Provides a contingent effective date of 180 days after the Insurance Commissioner certifies the President of the United States has signed federal legislation that include guaranteed issue for individuals purchasing health coverage in the individual or small group market.
  • Provides a null and void clause if federal legislation including guaranteed issue for individuals in the individual or small group market is not signed by the President by December 31, 2010.
  • Provides a definition of "census date" for the purpose of establishing the date health carriers base rate calculations for small employer health coverage.

From the Engrossed Substitute House Bill Report (ESSB 6538), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 292, Laws of 2010
  1. IntroducedJan 18, 2010
  2. Out of committeeFeb 5, 2010
  3. Passed SenateFeb 16, 2010
  4. Passed HouseFeb 28, 2010
  5. GovernorApr 1, 2010
  6. LawApr 1, 2010
Prime sponsor
Karen Keiser (D-33)
Introduced
January 18, 2010 in the Senate
Last action
April 1, 2010
Session law
Chapter 292, Laws of 2010
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
SB 6538, ESSB 6538

AN ACT Relating to the definition of small groups for insurance purposes;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Karen Keiser (D-33)

1 co-sponsor (0 Democrats, 1 Republican)

Cheryl Pflug R-5

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed February 16, 2010
Version voted on: ESSB 6538
45 Yea 2 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat30001
Republican15201
How each member voted

Nay (2)

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed February 28, 2010
Version voted on: ESSB 6538
58 Yea 36 Nay 0 Absent 4 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat58003
Republican03601
How each member voted

Yea (58)

Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed March 9, 2010
Version voted on: ESSB 6538
61 Yea 36 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat61000
Republican03601
How each member voted

Yea (61)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed March 10, 2010
Version voted on: ESSB 6538
47 Yea 0 Nay 1 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat31000
Republican16011
How each member voted

Yea (47)

Absent (1)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 6/10/2010**. (ESSB 6538)
  2. Chapter 292, 2010 Laws. (ESSB 6538)
  3. Governor signed. (ESSB 6538)
  4. President signed. (ESSB 6538)
  5. Speaker signed. (ESSB 6538)
  6. Delivered to Governor. (ESSB 6538)
  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 47; nays, 0; absent, 1; excused, 1. (ESSB 6538)
  8. Senate concurred in House amendments. (ESSB 6538)
  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 61; nays, 36; absent, 0; excused, 1. (ESSB 6538)
  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESSB 6538)
  11. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (ESSB 6538)
  12. Returned to second reading for amendment. (ESSB 6538)
  13. Rules suspended. (ESSB 6538)
  14. House receded from amendments. (ESSB 6538)
  15. Senate refuses to concur in House amendments. Asks House to recede from amendments. (ESSB 6538)
  16. Third reading, passed; yeas, 58; nays, 36; absent, 0; excused, 4. (ESSB 6538)
  17. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESSB 6538)
  18. Committee amendment adopted with no other amendments and floor amendment(s) also adopted. (ESSB 6538)
  19. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (ESSB 6538)
  20. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (ESSB 6538)
  21. Minority; do not pass. (ESSB 6538)
  22. HCW - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). (ESSB 6538)
  23. HCW - Executive action taken by committee. (ESSB 6538)
  24. First reading, referred to Health Care & Wellness. (ESSB 6538)
  25. Third reading, passed; yeas, 45; nays, 2; absent, 0; excused, 2. (ESSB 6538)
  26. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESSB 6538)
  27. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (ESSB 6538)
  28. 1st substitute bill substituted. (ESSB 6538)
  29. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  30. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (ESSB 6538)
  31. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  32. Made eligible to be placed on second reading. (ESSB 6538)
  33. Made eligible to be placed on second reading.
  34. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (ESSB 6538)
  35. HEA - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (ESSB 6538)
  36. HEA - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  37. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  38. First reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care.

SB 6538 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

Report wrong or missing information on this page