| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Commerce & Labor Committee | |
HB 1545
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
Brief Description: Providing industrial insurance benefits for life for the surviving spouses of law enforcement officers.
Sponsors: Representatives Kirby, Ericks and Ormsby.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/1/08
Staff: Alison Hellberg (786-7152).
Background:
Workers injured in the course of employment, or their dependents in the case of death of the
worker, may receive various benefits under the Industrial Insurance Act (Act). Compensatory
benefits (time-loss, pension, and survivor benefits) for injured workers or their surviving
beneficiaries are based on the monthly wages that the worker was receiving from all employment
at the time of injury. If a surviving spouse remarries, benefits are discontinued at the end of the
month in which remarriage occurs.
The Law Enforcement Officers' and Fire Fighters' Retirement System Plan 1 (LEOFF 1) provides
retirement and disability benefits to law enforcement officers and fire fighters who entered
eligible employment between 1969 and 1977. Since 1977 eligible law enforcement officers and
fire fighters have entered LEOFF 2. In certain situations, survivors of a member who dies in the
line of duty are eligible to receive retirement benefits. A surviving spouse continues to receive
these retirement benefits if he or she remarries.
Summary of Bill:
The surviving spouses of the LEOFF retirement plan shall continue to receive death benefits
monthly for life regardless of whether they remarry. This applies to remarriages entered into on
or after the effective date of the Act.
Rules Authority: This bill does not contain provisions addressing the rule-making powers of an
agency.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 24, 2008.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.