SB 5053 - DIGEST |
(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 1ST SUB) |
Creates the office of the ombudsman for workers of industrial insurance self-insured employers. |
Requires that any ombudsman authorized by chapter 51.14 RCW shall have training or experience, or both, in the following areas: (1) Industrial insurance including self-insurance programs; |
(2) The legal system; |
(3) Dispute or problem resolution techniques, including investigation, mediation, and negotiation. |
Declares that the ombudsman program shall have the following powers and duties: (1) To act as an advocate for injured workers of self-insured employers; |
(2) To offer and provide information on industrial insurance as appropriate to workers of self-insured employers; |
(3) To identify, investigate, and facilitate resolution of industrial insurance complaints from workers of self-insured employers; |
(4) To maintain a statewide toll-free telephone number for the receipt of complaints and inquiries; and |
(5) To refer complaints to the department when appropriate. |
Requires that to provide start-up funding for the ombudsman's office, the department shall impose a one-time assessment on all self-insurers. The amount of the assessment shall be determined by the department and shall not exceed the amount needed to pay the start-up costs. |
Provides that ongoing funding for the office shall be obtained as part of an annual administrative assessment of self-insurers under RCW 51.44.150. This assessment shall be proportionately based on the number of claims for each self-insurer during the past year. |
Directs the ombudsman to provide the governor with an annual report that includes the following: (1) A description of the issues addressed during the past year and a very brief description of case scenarios in a form that does not compromise confidentiality; |
(2) An accounting of the monitoring activities by the ombudsman; and |
(3) An identification of the deficiencies in the industrial insurance system related to self-insurers, if any, and recommendations for remedial action in policy or practice. |
Provides that the first annual report shall be due on or before October 1, 2007. Subsequent reports shall be due on or before October 1st. |