(1) Every employer who is not a self-insurer shall deduct from the pay of each of his or her workers one-half of the amount he or she is required to pay, for medical benefits within each risk classification. Such amount shall be periodically determined by the director and reported by him or her to all employers under this title: PROVIDED, That the state governmental unit shall pay the entire amount into the medical aid fund for volunteers, as defined in RCW 51.12.035, and the state apprenticeship council shall pay the entire amount into the medical aid fund for registered apprentices or trainees, for the purposes of RCW 51.12.130. The deduction under this section is not authorized for premiums assessed under RCW 51.16.210.

     (2) It shall be unlawful for the employer, unless specifically authorized by this title, to deduct or obtain any part of the premium or other costs required to be by him or her paid from the wages or earnings of any of his or her workers, and the making of or attempt to make any such deduction shall be a gross misdemeanor.

[1989 c 385 § 3; 1977 ex.s. c 350 § 29; 1973 c 110 § 2; 1971 ex.s. c 289 § 77; 1971 c 20 § 2; 1961 c 23 §51.16.140 . Prior: (i) 1923 c 136 § 8, part; 1919 c 129 § 1, part; 1917 c 28 § 4, part; RRS § 7713, part. (ii) 1947 c 247 § 1, part; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 7676e, part.]

NOTES:

     Effective date -- Severability -- 1971 ex.s. c 289: See RCW 51.98.060 and 51.98.070.