CERTIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT

ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL 2185

Chapter 411, Laws of 2005

59th Legislature
2005 Regular Session



INDUSTRIAL INSURANCE--RESIDENCE MODIFICATIONS



EFFECTIVE DATE: 7/24/05

Passed by the House April 19, 2005
  Yeas 98   Nays 0

FRANK CHOPP
________________________________________    
Speaker of the House of Representatives


Passed by the Senate April 13, 2005
  Yeas 44   Nays 0


BRAD OWEN
________________________________________    
President of the Senate
 
CERTIFICATE

I, Richard Nafziger, Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives of the State of Washington, do hereby certify that the attached is ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL 2185 as passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on the dates hereon set forth.


RICHARD NAFZIGER
________________________________________    
Chief Clerk
Approved May 11, 2005.








CHRISTINE GREGOIRE
________________________________________    
Governor of the State of Washington
 
FILED
May 11, 2005 - 2:20 p.m.







Secretary of State
State of Washington


_____________________________________________ 

ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL 2185
_____________________________________________

AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE

Passed Legislature - 2005 Regular Session
State of Washington59th Legislature2005 Regular Session

By Representatives Newhouse, Conway and Condotta

Read first time 02/22/2005.   Referred to Committee on Commerce & Labor.



     AN ACT Relating to residence modifications for injured workers; and adding a new section to chapter 51.36 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 51.36 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The legislature finds that there is a need to clarify the process and standards under which the department provides residence modification assistance to workers who have sustained catastrophic injury.
     (2) The director shall adopt rules that take effect no later than nine months after the effective date of this section to establish guidelines and processes for residence modification pursuant to RCW 51.36.020(7).
     (3) In developing rules under this section, the director shall consult with interested persons, including persons with expertise in the rehabilitation of catastrophically disabled individuals and modifications for adaptive housing.
     (4) These rules must address at least the following:
     (a) The process for a catastrophically injured worker to access the residence modification benefits provided by RCW 51.36.020; and
     (b) How the department may address the needs and preferences of the individual worker on a case-by-case basis taking into account information provided by the injured worker. For purposes of determining the needs and requirements of the worker under RCW 51.36.020, including whether a modification is medically necessary, the department must consider all available information regarding the medical condition and physical restrictions of the injured worker, including the opinion of the worker's attending health services provider.
     (5) The rules should be based upon nationally accepted guidelines and publications addressing adaptive residential housing. The department must consider the guidelines established by the United States department of veterans affairs in their publication entitled "Handbook for Design: Specially Adapted Housing," and the recommendations published in "The Accessible Housing Design File" by Barrier Free Environments, Inc.
     (6) In developing rules under this section, the director shall consult with other persons with an interest in improving standards for adaptive housing.
     (7) The director shall report by December 2007 to the appropriate committees of the legislature on the rules adopted under this section.


         Passed by the House April 19, 2005.
         Passed by the Senate April 13, 2005.
         Approved by the Governor May 11, 2005.
         Filed in Office of Secretary of State May 11, 2005.