SB 6356 - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

Provides that 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.

Requires the department to adopt rules necessary to implement this section, including rules identifying simple industrial injuries using diagnosis codes and other relevant criteria.

Requires that, by December 1, 2006, the department of labor and industries shall report to the senate committee on commerce and trade and the house committee on commerce and labor, or successor committees, on the implementation of this act, including but not limited to the effects of this act on injured worker outcomes, claim costs, and disputed claims.