Applies to the medical aid coverage for volunteers of state agencies, municipal corporations, political subdivisions, private nonprofit charitable organizations, and student volunteers and/or unpaid students as defined in chapter 51.12 RCW.

• Medical aid coverage is mandatory for volunteers of state agencies.

• Medical aid coverage is optional for volunteers of cities, counties, towns, special districts, municipal corporations, political subdivisions, private nonprofit charitable organizations, and for qualifying student volunteers and/or unpaid students as defined in chapter 51.12 RCW.

This classification excludes:

• Volunteer law enforcement officers of cities, towns, counties and taxing districts for whom medical aid only coverage has been elected who are to be reported separately in classification 6906; and

• Volunteer law enforcement officers of cities, towns, counties, or Native American tribal councils for whom full coverage has been elected who are to be reported separately in classification 6905.

Special note: See relevant rules, including WAC 296-17-925, 296-17-930, 296-17-935, and 296-17-35201 for reporting instructions and recordkeeping requirements. To elect coverage for qualified volunteers, employers or charitable organizations must submit a completed Application for Elective Coverage of Excluded Employment form to the department. State Fund workers' compensation is not provided to volunteer firefighters covered by chapter 41.24 RCW, nor to emergency services workers covered by chapter 38.52 RCW.

A student volunteer is defined as a student who is:

• Currently enrolled in a public or private K-12 school or state public or private institution of higher education; and

• Participating as a student volunteer in a program authorized by the school; and

• Performing duties for the employer without receiving wages for their volunteer services. Maintenance and reimbursement for actual expenses necessarily incurred in performing the assigned duties are not considered wages.

An unpaid student is defined as a student who is:

• Currently enrolled in a state public or private institution of higher education; and

• Participating in an unpaid work-based learning program (including cooperative education, clinical experience, and internship programs) authorized by the school; and

• Performing duties for the employer without receiving wages for their services; and

• Receiving credit towards completing the school program, certification, or degree from an institution of higher education. Maintenance and reimbursement for actual expenses necessarily incurred in performing the assigned duties are not considered wages. Credit towards completing the school program, certification, or degree are not considered wages.