HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5584

BYSenate Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Senators Tanner, Lee and Anderson; by request of Department of Labor and Industries)

Changing penalties for misrepresentations in reports or claims to the department of labor and industries.

House Committe on Commerce & Labor

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Wang, Chair; Cole, Vice Chair; Fisch, Fisher, R. King, O'Brien, Patrick, Sayan, Sanders, C. Smith and Walker.

House Staff:Chris Cordes (786-7117)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 17, 1987

BACKGROUND:

If an employer knowingly misrepresents his or her payroll report to the Department of Labor and Industries and the amount of premium that is not paid as a result of the incorrect report is $500 or more, the employer is guilty of a class C felony.  If the amount of premium owing is less than $500, the employer is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.  A worker who knowingly gives false information in connection with a claim is guilty of a class C felony if the claim involves $500 or more.  For claims of less than $500, the worker is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

SUMMARY:

An employer who knowingly misrepresents information on his or her payroll reports to the Department of Labor and Industries or an employee who knowingly gives false information required in an industrial insurance claim is guilty of a felony or gross misdemeanor according to the appropriate theft or anticipatory crime sections of the state criminal code.

Fiscal Note:      Not requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Senator Tanner, prime sponsor; and Brett Buckley, Department of Labor and Industries.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Prosecution of workers' compensation criminal fraud cases will be facilitated by making the penalties conform to the existing state criminal code.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.