WSR 15-16-096

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed August 4, 2015, 7:59 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 296-19A WAC, Option 2 benefits.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 51.04.020, 51.04.030, chapter 137, Laws of 2015 (SHB 1496).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Rule making is needed to implement chapter 137, Laws of 2015 (SHB 1496). The proposed rule making increases the vocational award ("option 2") to an amount equal to nine months of temporary total disability benefits, allows up to ten percent of training funds to be used for vocational assistance, and provides a longer period of time for workers to make their option 2 selection.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Process for Developing New Rule: Labor and industries will begin the rule amendment process and will share the draft proposal with stakeholders and other interested parties. A public hearing will be held after the proposal is filed.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Department of Labor and Industries, Laurinda Grytness, P.O. Box 44329, Olympia, WA 98504-4329.

August 4, 2015

Joel Sacks

Director