SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6594

                    As of January 30, 1998

Title:  An act relating to prohibiting industrial insurance benefits payment if the use of alcohol or controlled substances materially contributed to the injury or death.

Brief Description:  Prohibiting industrial insurance benefits if alcohol or controlled substances contributed to the injury or death.

Sponsors:  Senators Anderson, Schow, Rossi, Horn and Oke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Commerce & Labor:  2/3/98.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Staff:  Jack Brummel (786-7428)

Background:  Under the state's industrial insurance laws, if injury or death results to a worker from the worker=s attempt to produce such injury or death, or while the worker is engaged in the felonious activity, neither the worker nor the widow, widower, child or dependent of the worker may receive benefits.  There is no provision in current law that would deny benefits if a worker's alcohol or drug use caused the worker=s injury or death.

Summary of Bill:  If an employer shows that a worker's alcohol or drug use materially contributed to the worker's injury or death, no workers= compensation benefits are paid, unless the drug use was in accordance with a prescription from a licensed physician.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.