SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6611

As of January 30, 2002

Title:  An act relating to time‑loss payments.

Brief Description:  Allowing larger time‑loss payments.

Sponsors:  Senators Prentice, Winsley, Fraser, Fairley, Kohl‑Welles, Keiser and Kline.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Labor, Commerce & Financial Institutions:  1/31/02.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE & FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

Staff:  Jack  Brummel (786‑7428)

Background:  The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) performance audit of the state's workers' compensation system completed in 1998 found that the incidence rate of occupational injuries and illnesses in Washington was significantly worse than most other statesB39 percent higher than the national average.  The audit found that the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA) program's approach to safety and loss control services does not pay sufficient attention to coordination between workers' compensation insurance and safety program efforts.

Summary of Bill:  Injured workers are entitled to an increase in time-loss payments of 15 percent if the worker can show that the injury resulted from a failure by the employer to follow safety rules and the director of Labor and Industries finds that the employer has a consistent pattern or practice of serious, willful, or nonabated safety violations.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 30, 2002.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.