WSR 13-23-077

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed November 19, 2013, 11:04 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Penalties owed by the self-insured employer resulting from delay or failure to authorize and pay benefits.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 51.04.020, 51.48.017.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department is considering adopting rules regarding penalties, to define what information is required to constitute a request for penalty and what response is required from the self-insured employer.

Process for Developing New Rule: A new rule will be adopted in response to recent board of industrial insurance appeals and superior court decisions, chapter 296-15 WAC.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Natalee Fillinger, Self Insurance Program Manager, P.O. Box 44890, Olympia, WA 98504-48901 [98504-4890], phone (360) 902-6907, fax (360) 902-6977.

November 19, 2013

Joel Sacks

Director