Governor Gregoire Signs Legislation to Help Families With Children�s Medical Coverage

For Immediate Release: March 9, 2006

Governor�s request bill will remove a barrier to affordable health care


OLYMPIA � Governor Chris Gregoire today signed into law a measure that removes a barrier to health care for children. House Bill 2376 moves the state one-step closer to the Governor�s goal of health care for all Washington�s children by 2010.

�This bill prohibits monthly premiums for children on state programs whose families are struggling to make ends meet. 73,000 more children will have health care coverage in 2007 because of this bill and other health care reforms in my budget adopted by the legislature,� said Governor Gregoire.

In January 2005, Governor Gregoire issued a directive to the Department of Health and Human Services to postpone the implementation of monthly premiums for children living at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. House Bill 2378 completely eliminates these premiums.

Governor Gregoire also signed the following bills:

�HB 1458: Relating to managing on-site sewage disposal systems in marine areas.
�HB 2338: Relating to the extension of the mortgage lending fraud prosecution account.
�HB 2340: Relating to mortgage brokers and loan originators.
�HB 2344: relating to superior court judges.
�HB 2367: Relating to the certification of tribal police officers.
�HB 2372: Relating to providing a mechanism to encourage volunteers to teach hunter education programs in Washington.
�HB 2406: Relating to insurance.
�HB 2608: Relating to the volunteer fire fighters� and reserve officers� relief and pension act.
�SB 5408: Relating to protecting the health of minors by prohibiting tobacco product sampling.
�SB 5232: Relating to turkey tags.
�SB 6161: Relating to group fishing permits for outdoor education programs working with the department of fish and wildlife.
�SB 6674: Relating to funds collected from construction of the second Tacoma Narrows bridge.

House Bill 2376 will take effect 90 days after adjournment of the legislative session.


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