BILL REQ. #:  H-2767.1 

Read first time 05/11/11.   Referred to Committee on Labor & Workforce Development.

     AN ACT Relating to conducting a performance audit of the workers' compensation claims management system; adding a new section to chapter 51.04 RCW; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 51.04 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The joint legislative audit and review committee, in consultation with the department of labor and industries and the workers' compensation advisory committee, shall conduct a performance audit of the workers' compensation claims management system, including self-insured claims. The joint legislative audit and review committee may contract with an independent expert in workers' compensation claims management to assist with the audit.
     (2) The audit shall:
     (a) Evaluate the extent to which the department: (i) Makes fair and timely decisions, and resolves complaints and disputes in a timely, fair, and effective manner; and (ii) communicates with employers and workers in a timely, responsive, and accurate manner, including communication about review and appeal rights, and including the use of plain language and sufficient opportunities for face-to-face meetings;
     (b) Determine if current claims management organization and service delivery models are the most efficient available; analyze organization and delivery for retrospective rating plan participants as compared to nonparticipants to identify differences and how those differences influence retrospective rating plan refunds; and determine whether current initiatives improve service delivery, meet the needs of current and future workers and employers, improve public education and outreach, and are otherwise measurable; and
     (c) Make recommendations regarding administrative changes that should be made to improve efficiency while maintaining high levels of quality service to help address system costs, and any needed legislative changes to implement the recommendations.
     (3) The joint legislative audit and review committee shall submit progress reports by December 1, 2012, and December 1, 2013, and the results of the audit by June 30, 2015, to the appropriate committees of the legislature.
     (4) This section expires December 31, 2015.