1568.EAMSCTS2772.1EHB 1568S COMM AMDBy Committee on Commerce & Trade Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert thefollowing:NEW SECTION.Sec. A new section is added to chapter 51.28 RCWto read as follows: Physician assistants practicing with physician supervision asrequired by chapters 18.57A and 18.71A RCW may assist the worker infiling an application for benefits under this title pursuant to RCW51.28.020 when a worker presents with a simple industrial injury. Suchclaims are identified by criteria specified in rule including, but notlimited to, diagnosis code and whether the worker is expected to misstime from work. However, a physician assistant shall not be permittedto rate a worker's permanent partial disability under RCW 51.32.080, ordetermine entitlement to death benefits under RCW 51.32.050, permanenttotal disability benefits under RCW 51.32.060, or temporary totaldisability, partial restoration of earning power, and return to workbenefits under RCW 51.32.090. The department may adopt rules necessaryto implement this section.NEW SECTION.Sec. By December 1, 2005, the department of laborand industries shall report to the senate committee on commerce andtrade and the house committee on commerce and labor, or successorcommittees, on the implementation of this act, including but notlimited to the effects of this act on injured worker outcomes, claimcosts, and disputed claims.NEW SECTION.Sec. Sections 1 and 2 of this act are necessaryfor the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety,or support of the state government and its existing publicinstitutions, and take effect July 1, 2003. 1 NEW SECTION.Sec. Sections 1 and 2 of this act expire June 30,2006.EHB 1568S COMM AMDBy Committee on Commerce & Trade On page 1, line 2 of the title, after industries; strike theremainder of the title and insert adding a new section to chapter51.28 RCW; creating a new section; providing an effective date;providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency.Physician assistants may assist a worker in completing anapplication for medical benefits for a simple industrial injury.Criteria for a simple industrial injury will be established in rule.--- END --- 2