FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 6286

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: Concerning reimbursement of correctional employees for offender assaults.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senators Pearson, Roach, Padden, Takko, Hargrove, Billig, Hewitt and Conway).

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

House Committee on General Government & Information Technology

Background: When an employee of the Department of Corrections or the Department of Natural Resources is assaulted by an offender at work and must miss work because of their injuries, the employee may receive supplemental reimbursement. The employee is ineligible for supplemental reimbursement if the assault is attributable to the employee's negligence, misconduct, or violation of employment rules or conditions. The reimbursements are considered wages or salary. An employee has no contract right to continue receiving reimbursement if the Legislature discontinues this reimbursement program or repeals the law authorizing reimbursement.

Summary: A Corrections or Department of Natural Resources employee who is injured by an offender assault may receive supplemental benefits in addition to the time-loss benefits the injured worker receives from the Department of Labor and Industries. The injured employee may continue to receive supplemental benefits for 365 days after the injury or longer, if additional time-loss benefits are provided more than one year after the injury.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate	49	0
House	97	0