SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6392

As of January 20, 2004

Title: An act relating to industrial insurance claims filed with the department of labor and industries.

Brief Description: Changing provisions relating to industrial insurance claims.

Sponsors: Senators Honeyford, Mulliken, Hewitt and T. Sheldon.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Commerce & Trade: 1/22/04.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & TRADE

Staff: Jennifer Strus (786-7316)

Background: The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) must promptly act upon claims filed by injured workers. The majority of claims filed with L&I are acted upon within a few days of their receipt. However, L&I does not act on some claims for more than 90 days because the claims are more complicated and require greater investigation.

L&I employees manage all of the state fund workers' compensation claims.

Summary of Bill: L&I must enter an order allowing or denying a claim for industrial insurance benefits within 90 days from the date the claim is filed with L&I.

L&I is permitted to contract with individuals, businesses or nonprofit organizations to manage some or all of the state fund industrial insurance claims.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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