WSR 21-13-071
POLICY STATEMENT
DEPARTMENT OF
LABOR AND INDUSTRIES
[Filed June 14, 2021, 1:59 p.m.]
Under RCW
34.05.230, enclosed are statements regarding one new policy, two amended policies, one repealed policy, and one new interim policy issued by the department of labor and industries (L&I) insurance services division.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Tracy West, Rules Coordinator, at 360-902-6954.
Title: Policy 6.35 - Crediting Training Funds Following School or Vocational Program Closure.
Date Repealed: May 25, 2021.
Description: The policy is outdated and was repealed. Legislation in 2007 addressed interruptions outside the worker's control, ending the need for an interpretive policy.
Contact: Laurinda Grytness, 7273 Linderson Way, Tumwater, WA 98501, Mailstop 4329, 360-902-6362, Laurinda.Grytness@Lni.wa.gov.
Title: Interim Policy 6.49 - Retraining Plans and the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Date Issued: May 25, 2021.
Description: The interim policy addresses retraining plans impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the pandemic, many retraining programs have changed their existing curriculum to online-only or ended the program until they are able to reopen. Some retraining programs have not determined whether they will be able to offer in-person training. The new interim policy allows for flexibility in addressing retraining plans so workers' retraining time and funds aren't depleted without workers engaging in meaningful retraining.
Contact: Laurinda Grytness, 7273 Linderson Way, Tumwater, WA 98501, Mailstop 4329, 360-902-6362, Laurinda.Grytness@Lni.wa.gov.
Title: Policy 13.12 - Injured Workers' Complaints about Independent Medical Examinations.
Date Issued: April 1, 2021.
Description: The amended policy applies to written complaints received from workers about the quality of independent medical examinations. The policy was updated to change the title of the unit that receives the complaints from provider credentialing and compliance to provider quality and compliance. Links were also added.
Contact: Suzy Campbell, 7273 Linderson Way, Tumwater, WA 98501, Mailstop 4270, 360-902-5003, Suzanne.Campbell@Lni.wa.gov.
Title: Policy 14.25 - Permanent Partial Disability Award for Fingers.
Date Issued: June 1, 2021.
Description: This policy was created in order to provide guidance on calculating permanent partial disability of the fingers resulting from the industrial injury or occupational disease.
Contact: Jordan Ely, 7273 Linderson Way, Tumwater, WA 98501, Mailstop 4270, 360-902-4616, Jordan.Ely@Lni.wa.gov.
Title: Policy 15.70 - Payment or Reimbursement for Burial Expenses.
Date Issued: June 1, 2021.
Description: The policy was updated due to legislative changes that now include additional options beyond burial and cremation, and to closer align with crime victims' procedure. Additional changes were made for readability and clarification.
Contact: Suzy Campbell, 7273 Linderson Way, Tumwater, WA 98501, Mailstop 4270, 360-902-5003, Suzanne.Campbell@Lni.wa.gov.