ADOPTED 3/3/04

6356 AMH CL REIN 053

SB 6356 - H COMM AMD

By Committee on Commerce & Labor

   On page 1, beginning on line 6, strike all of section 1 and insert the following:

   "NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 51.28 RCW to read as follows:

   Physician assistants practicing with physician supervision as required by chapters 18.57A and 18.71A RCW may assist workers who suffer simple industrial injuries in making application for compensation under this title as specified in RCW 51.28.020. Physician assistants may not rate a worker's permanent partial disability under RCW 51.32.055, or determine a worker's entitlement to benefits under chapter 51.32 RCW. The department shall adopt rules necessary to implement this section, including rules identifying simple industrial injuries using diagnosis codes and other relevant criteria."

EFFECT: Clarifies that physician assistants may assist workers who are filing claims for simple industrial injuries, and not for occupational diseases or for industrial injuries that involve payment of time loss compensation or pensions. Requires the Department of Labor and Industries to adopt necessary rules.