FINAL BILL REPORT

SB 5271

C 2 L 03 E2

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Regarding industrial insurance hearing loss claims.

Sponsors: Senators Honeyford, Hewitt and Parlette; by request of Department of Labor & Industries.

Senate Committee on Commerce & Trade

Background: An occupational disease is a disease or infection that arises naturally and proximately out of employment. A worker may receive medical and time-loss compensation for occupational diseases. Current law requires a worker to file an occupational disease claim within two years of the worker's receipt of written notice from a doctor that the medical condition was caused by exposure in the workplace.

Summary: A worker must file a claim for hearing loss due to occupational noise exposure within two years of the date of the worker's last injurious exposure to occupational noise or within one year of the effective date of this act, whichever is later. The compensation a worker receives is limited to medical aid benefits when a claim for hearing loss due to occupational noise exposure is not filed within two years of the worker's last injurious exposure.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate       28  21

First Special Session

Senate       27  19

Second Special Session

Senate       25  13

House       69  21

Effective: September 10, 2003