FINAL BILL REPORT

SB 5831

C 89 L 19

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning an employer's payment of indebtedness.

Sponsors: Senators Keiser, Van De Wege, Salomon and Saldaña.

Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce

House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards

Background: Following an employee's death, a private employer is required to pay a deceased employee's survivors amounts owed to the decedent, if:

• the amount is owed for the deceased employee's work, up to a limit of $2,500;

• the surviving spouse requests payment of the amount due; and

• no executor or administrator of the deceased employee's estate has been appointed.

If there is no surviving spouse, the monies are paid upon request of any child or children, or if no children, upon the request of a parent.

If the decedent's estate is valued at $100,000 or less, or the right to the indebtedness is subject to a community property agreement, an employer may distribute the entire indebtedness if certain requirements are met.

There is no statutory limit on the payments made by the state and municipal corporations for indebtedness owing to survivors of a deceased employee.

In all cases, an employer must require proof of the claimant's relationship to the decedent.

Summary: The amount of indebtedness owing that can be paid to the survivors of a decedent employee by a private employer is raised from $2,500 to $10,000.

Votes on Final Passage: