SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1170

BYHouse Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representative Patrick)

Changing requirements for physicians retained by the medical bureau of the department of labor and industries.

House Committe on Commerce & Labor

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 22, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Lee, Chairman; Anderson, Vice Chairman; Conner, Deccio, McMullen, Saling, Warnke, West.

Senate Staff:Dave Cheal (786-7576)

                  February 22, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & LABOR, FEBRUARY 22, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Some industrial injuries result in permanent disability to the injured worker.  All benefit determinations for permanent disabilities are made by the Department of Labor and Industries.  The department may require an injured worker to present him or herself for a special medical examination.  The department also has authority to establish a medical bureau to perform special examinations.  Physicians hired for the bureau must be grounded in industrial medicine and in the assessment of industrial physical impairment.

SUMMARY:

The department is directed to develop standards for the conduct of special medical examinations for determining permanent disabilities.  The standards will include the qualifications of persons conducting examinations and the criteria for the examinations and reports.  The department will also investigate the compensation paid to examiners and establish compensation guidelines.  The department will report no less than annually to the legislature on the special medical examination program.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

Injured workers who must submit to a medical examination are given the right to have someone accompany them throughout the exam, providing advance notice is given to the examining physician.  The accompanying person may not interfere in any way with the exam.  Psychiatric exams are excluded.

Appropriation:    $100,000 to the Department of Labor and Industries from the medical aid fund.

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Senate Committee - Testified: Taylor Dennen, Department of Labor and Industries (for); Wayne Lieb, Washington State Trial Lawyers Association (for); Cliff Finch, Association of Washington Business (for with amendment); Ed Larsen, Washington State Medical Association (against)