Subject of Possible Rule Making: TITLE 296 WAC, the department of labor and industries is creating new chapter 296-18 WAC, Washington stay at work program.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 51.04.020 and 51.32.090.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: RCW 51.32.090 authorizes the department to reimburse employers for qualifying expenses through the Washington stay at work program when providing light duty or transitional work to an eligible injured worker. As this is a new program, new rules are required to implement it and clarify its administration.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: No other state, local or federal agency regulates this issue.

     Process for Developing New Rule: The public will have an opportunity to provide input for new rules the department proposes for the Washington stay at work program. Public hearings will be held for any proposal filed. Interested parties will be invited to provide comments prior to and at the hearing.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Comments can be submitted to Richard Bredeson, P.O. Box 44140, Olympia, WA 98504-4140, e-mail bred235@lni.wa.gov, phone (360) 902-4985, fax (360) 902-4988.

July 19, 2011

Judy Schurke

Director

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