H-1096              _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1085

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1985 Regular Session

By Representatives Rayburn, Patrick, Baugher, Wang, McMullen, R. King, Bristow, Sayan, Basich, Peery, Fisch, Leonard, Gallagher, Ballard, Cole, Unsoeld, Winsley, K. Wilson, Haugen, Ebersole, Wineberry, Todd, Dellwo and Armstrong; by Joint Select Committee on Workers' Compensation request

Read first time 2/8/85 and referred to Committee on Commerce & Labor.

AN ACT Relating to prompt actions by the department of labor and industries; amending RCW 51.36.080; and adding a new section to chapter 51.28 RCW.

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

        Sec. 1.  Section 55, chapter 289, Laws of 1971 ex. sess. and RCW 51.36.080 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) All fees and medical charges under this title shall conform to regulations promulgated by the director and shall be paid within sixty days of receipt by the department of a proper billing in the form prescribed by department rule.  The department shall pay the market rate of interest for every day that the payment period exceeds sixty days on all proper fees and medical charges.

(2) The director shall establish procedures for the verification of the accuracy of fees and medical billings by the injured worker or beneficiary or, in cases in which an injured worker or beneficiary is incapable of verification, by someone on his or her behalf.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 51.28 RCW to read as follows:

          An employer shall be promptly notified by the department when it has determined that a worker of that employer is entitled to compensation under this title.  Notification shall include, in nontechnical language, an explanation of the employer's rights under this title.