[atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to adjusting disability payments; amending RCW 41.24.150; reenacting and amending RCW 41.24.160; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 41.24.150 and 1999 c 148 s 13 are each amended to read as follows:

(1)(a) Whenever a participant becomes physically or mentally disabled, injured, or sick, in consequence or as the result of the performance of his or her duties, so as to be wholly prevented from engaging in each and every duty of his or her regular occupation, business, or profession, he or she shall be paid from the principal fund monthly, an amount (i) equal to his or her monthly wage as certified by the local board or (ii) two thousand five hundred fifty dollars, whichever is less, for a period not to exceed six months, or an amount equal to his or her daily wage as certified by the local board or eighty-five dollars, whichever is less, per day for such period as is part of a month, after which period, if the member is incapacitated to such an extent that he or she is thereby prevented from engaging in any occupation or performing any work for compensation or profit or if the member sustained an injury after October 1, 1978, which resulted in the loss or paralysis of both legs or arms, or one leg and one arm, or total loss of eyesight, but such injury has not prevented the member from engaging in an occupation or performing work for compensation or profit, he or she is entitled to draw from the fund monthly, the sum of one thousand two hundred seventy-five dollars so long as the disability continues, except as provided. However, if the participant has a wife or husband and/or a child or children unemancipated or under eighteen years of age, he or she is entitled to draw from the fund monthly the additional sums of two hundred fifty-five dollars because of the fact of his wife or her husband, and one hundred ten dollars because of the fact of each child unemancipated or under eighteen years of age, all to a total maximum amount of two thousand five hundred fifty dollars.

(b) Beginning on July 1, 2001, and each July 1st thereafter, the compensation amounts specified in (a)(ii) of this subsection shall be readjusted to reflect the percentage change in the consumer price index, calculated as follows: The index for the calendar year preceding the year in which the July calculation is made, to be known as "calendar year A," is divided by the index for the calendar year preceding calendar year A, and the resulting ratio is multiplied by the compensation amount in effect on June 30th immediately preceding the July 1st on which the respective calculation is made. For the purposes of this subsection, "index" means the same as the definition in RCW 2.12.037(1).

(2) The state board may at any time reopen the grant of such disability pension if the pensioner is gainfully employed, and may reduce it in the proportion that the annual income from such gainful employment bears to the annual income received by the pensioner at the time of his or her disability.

(3) Where a participant sustains a permanent partial disability the state board may provide that the injured participant receive a lump sum compensation therefor to the same extent as is provided for permanent partial disability under the workers' compensation act under Title 51 RCW in lieu of such monthly disability payments.

Sec. 2. RCW 41.24.160 and 1999 c 148 s 14 and 1999 c 117 s 5 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

(1)(a) Whenever a participant dies as the result of injuries received, or sickness contracted in consequence or as the result of the performance of his or her duties, the board of trustees shall order and direct the payment from the principal fund of (i) the sum of one hundred fifty-two thousand dollars to his widow or her widower, or if there is no widow or widower, then to his or her dependent child or children, or if there is no dependent child or children, then to his or her dependent parents or either of them, or if there are no dependent parents or parent, then the death benefit shall be paid to the member's estate, and (ii)(A) the sum of one thousand two hundred seventy-five dollars per month to his widow or her widower during his or her life together with the additional monthly sum of one hundred ten dollars for each child of the member, unemancipated or under eighteen years of age, dependent upon the member for support at the time of his or her death, (B) to a maximum total of two thousand five hundred fifty dollars per month.

(b) Beginning on July 1, 2001, and each July 1st thereafter, the compensation amount specified in (a)(ii)(B) of this subsection shall be readjusted to reflect the percentage change in the consumer price index, calculated as follows: The index for the calendar year preceding the year in which the July calculation is made, to be known as "calendar year A," is divided by the index for the calendar year preceding calendar year A, and the resulting ratio is multiplied by the compensation amount in effect on June 30th immediately preceding the July 1st on which the respective calculation is made. For the purposes of this subsection, "index" means the same as the definition in RCW 2.12.037(1).

(2) If the widow or widower does not have legal custody of one or more dependent children of the deceased participant or if, after the death of the participant, legal custody of such child or children passes from the widow or widower to another person, any payment on account of such child or children not in the legal custody of the widow or widower shall be made to the person or persons having legal custody of such child or children. Such payments on account of such child or children shall be subtracted from the amount to which such widow or widower would have been entitled had such widow or widower had legal custody of all the children and the widow or widower shall receive the remainder after such payments on account of such child or children have been subtracted. If there is no widow or widower, or the widow or widower dies while there are children, unemancipated or under eighteen years of age, then the amount of one thousand two hundred seventy-five dollars per month shall be paid for the youngest or only child together with an additional one hundred ten dollars per month for each additional of such children to a maximum of two thousand five hundred fifty dollars per month until they become emancipated or reach the age of eighteen years; and if there are no widow or widower, child, or children entitled thereto, then to his or her parents or either of them the sum of one thousand two hundred seventy-five dollars per month for life, if it is proved to the satisfaction of the board that the parents, or either of them, were dependent on the deceased for their support at the time of his or her death. In any instance in subsections (1) and (2) of this section, if the widow or widower, child or children, or the parents, or either of them, marries while receiving such pension the person so marrying shall thereafter receive no further pension from the fund.

(3) In the case provided for in this section, the monthly payment provided may be converted in whole or in part into a lump sum payment, not in any case to exceed twelve thousand dollars, equal or proportionate, as the case may be, to the actuarial equivalent of the monthly payment in which event the monthly payments shall cease in whole or in part accordingly or proportionately. Such conversion may be made either upon written application to the state board and shall rest in the discretion of the state board; or the state board is authorized to make, and authority is given it to make, on its own motion, lump sum payments, equal or proportionate, as the case may be, to the value of the annuity then remaining in full satisfaction of claims due to dependents. Within the rule under this subsection the amount and value of the lump sum payment may be agreed upon between the applicant and the state board.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.