Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Commerce & Labor Committee |
HB 1212
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: Regarding industrial insurance death benefits for the surviving spouses of members of the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system and the state patrol retirement system.
Sponsors: Representatives Kirby, Green, Williams, Roberts, Ormsby, Appleton and Wood.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/28/09
Staff: Joan Elgee (786-7106)
Background:
Workers injured in the course of employment receive various industrial insurance benefits. If death results from the injury, the surviving spouse receives a monthly benefit ranging from 60 to 70 percent of the wages of the deceased worker. If a surviving spouse remarries, benefits are discontinued at the end of the month in which remarriage occurs. A surviving spouse who remarries may choose to receive a lump sum of 24 times the monthly rate, with some adjustments. If the surviving spouse does not choose to receive the lump sum and the remarriage ends in death, annulment, or dissolution, monthly benefits may be reinstated.The Law Enforcement Officers' and Fire Fighters' Retirement System provides retirement and disability benefits to law enforcement officers and fire fighters who entered eligible employment beginning in 1969. The Washington State Patrol Retirement System provides retirement and disability benefits to commissioned officers of the Washington State Patrol. In certain situations, a surviving spouse of a member who dies in the line of duty is 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 members of the Law Enforcement Officers' and Fire Fighters' Retirement System and the Washington State Patrol Retirement System continue to receive industrial insurance death benefits monthly for life regardless of remarriage. This provision applies to remarriages entered into on or after the effective date of the act.
Rules Authority: The bill does not address the rule-making powers of an agency.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.