SENATE BILL REPORT

EHB 1272

BYRepresentatives H. Sommers, Hankins and Crane;by request of Department of Corrections

Revising department of corrections employee assault benefits.

House Committe on State Government

Senate Committee on Health Care & Corrections

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 18, 1988; February 24, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Deccio, Chairman; Kreidler, Niemi, West, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Dee Knapp (786-7452)

                  February 24, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & CORRECTIONS, FEBRUARY 24, 1988

BACKGROUND:

In 1984 the Legislature created a supplementary program in order to fully reimburse employees of state correctional institutions for work days missed due to injuries received from an inmate assault.  Employees may receive reimbursement in addition to workman's compensation benefits as long as the total reimbursement does not exceed full pay for the days missed. Employees are required to diligently pursue worker's compensation benefits for which they are eligible. 

The reimbursement program was extended to institutional care employees of the Department of Social and Health Services in 1986 and to Department of Veteran Affairs employees in 1987.

There are currently 3,426 employees of correctional institutions who are covered by the 1984 supplemental reimbursement program.  During the last four years (1984 through 1987) there have been 57 requests for reimbursement under this program, of which 51 requests were granted.  These 51 requests accounted for a total of 1,406 days missed from work and a cost to the Department of Corrections of approximately $45,000. (Workers' Compensation covers approximately 60 percent of the employees' salaries.  The Department of Corrections' costs represent the remaining 40 percent.)

The Department of Corrections currently has 448 employees working in community corrections offices.  Since 1981, the department reports five incidents in which an employee of a community corrections office was assaulted while performing official duties.  Only one of these five incidents resulted in the employee losing time from work.

Employees of community corrections offices are not covered under the 1984 supplemental reimbursement program because they do not work in correctional institutions.

SUMMARY:

The supplemental reimbursement program for employees of state correctional institutions who are assaulted on the job is extended to cover employees of community corrections offices similarly assaulted by offenders.

The term "offender" means an inmate, an offender as defined under the Sentencing Reform Act, or any other person in the custody of or under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Al Eckroth, Dept. of Corrections (pro)