RCW 48.190.020 Formation-Powers-Service of Process

• Library: Washington Statutes
• Edition: 2023
• Currency: Current through the 2023 1st Special Session
• Year: 2023
• Citation: RCW 48.190.020

(1) The governing body of a public benefit hospital entity may join or form a self-insurance program together with one or more other public benefit hospital entities, and may jointly purchase insurance or reinsurance with one or more other public benefit hospital entities for property and liability risks only as permitted under this chapter. Public benefit hospital entities may contract for or hire personnel to provide risk management, claims, and administrative services in accordance with this chapter.

(2) The agreement to form a joint self-insurance program may include the organization of a separate legal or administrative entity with powers delegated to the entity.

(3) If provided for in the organizational documents, a joint self-insurance program may, in conformance with this chapter:

(a) Contract or otherwise provide for risk management and loss control services;

(b) Contract or otherwise provide legal counsel for the defense of claims and other legal services;

(c) Consult with the state insurance commissioner and the state risk manager;

(d) Jointly purchase insurance and reinsurance coverage in a form and amount as provided for in the organizational documents;

(e) Obligate the program's participants to pledge revenues or contribute money to secure the obligations or pay the expenses of the program, including the establishment of a reserve or fund for coverage; and

(f) Possess any other powers and perform all other functions reasonably necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

(4) Every joint self-insurance program governed by this chapter must appoint the state risk manager as its attorney to receive service of, and upon whom must be served, all legal process issued against the program in this state upon causes of action arising in this state.