FINAL BILL REPORT

                  SSB 6030

                          C 330 L 97

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Establishing a performance audit and operations review of the workers' compensation system.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Senators Schow, Goings, Anderson, Haugen, Horn, Rasmussen, Long and Oke).

Senate Committee on Commerce & Labor

House Committee on Commerce & Labor

Background:  Performance audits can assist the Legislature in determining the impact of state programs and ensuring effective and efficient delivery of services.

Summary:  The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee must, in consultation with members of the Senate and House Commerce and Labor Committees and the Workers' Compensation Advisory Committee, contract for a performance audit of the Department of Labor and Industries.  The audit is to review the following elements of the state's workers' compensation system:  1) organizational structure, 2) management and practices, 3) taxation, 4) revenues, 5) types of services, 6) cooperation and continuity between programs, 7) effectiveness in meeting system goals, 8) customer satisfaction, 9) internal reviews, 10) coordination with other agencies, 11) effectiveness in providing sure and certain relief to injured workers, 12) performance compared to other private and public systems, and 13) a review of claims administration practices and the effectiveness of department sanctions in promoting best practices.

The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee must report to the Legislature on its findings and recommendations.  The Department of Labor and Industries must cooperate with the committee in the audit.  The audit is funded from the medical aid fund.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 48 0

House     98 0 (House amended)

Senate    41 0 (Senate concurred)

Effective:  July 27, 1997