SENATE BILL REPORT

                  ESB 5631

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

        Labor & Workforce Development, February 3, 2000

Title:  An act relating to vocational rehabilitation compensation.

Brief Description:  Increasing the amount of allowable vocational rehabilitation benefits.

Sponsors:  Senators Wojahn, Winsley, Fairley and Costa.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Labor & Workforce Development:  2/23/99, 3/2/99 [DPA]; 2/3/00 [DPS].

Passed Senate, 3/15/99, 47-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5631 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Fairley, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Hochstatter, Kline, Oke and Wojahn.

Staff:  Jack Brummel (786-7428)

Background:  Under the state=s workers= compensation system, up to $5,000 may be expended on accommodations for an injured worker that are medically necessary for participation in retraining and to perform the functions of a new job.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  Early intervention benefits are allowed for injured workers with an approved job analysis who are expected to be disabled for more than 12 months.  Up to $5,000 may be spent on early intervention services.  All of the $5,000 allowed may be spent on accommodations for retraining or a new job, and up to $2,500 of the $5,000 allowed may be spent on skill enhancement costs, professional consultants, and a wage subsidy.  Early intervention benefits received must be repaid by the employer if the employer does not retain the injured worker for at least 52 weeks.  A procedure is specified for the collection of repayments.

Substitute Bill Compared to Engrossed Bill:  The original bill provided for an increase in the amount of vocational rehabilitation benefits.  The substitute removes that language and inserts the provisions for early intervention benefits.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 22, 1999.

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

Testimony For:  Travel and child care costs are high.  Tuition and fees have increased substantially.  This is a small and inadequate fix but it is needed.  It is time for an increase.

Testimony Against:  It would be a nightmare for claims managers to handle the paperwork on child care expenses if they are taken out of the cap.

Testified:  PRO:  Pat Brouilette, NOVA Vocational Services; Michael Temple, Washington State Trial Lawyers Association; Robby Stern, WSLC, AFL-CIO; Clif Finch, AWB; CON:  Margie Weinberg, Washington Self Insurers.