SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5343

BYSenators Halsan, Tanner, Smitherman, Vognild, Warnke, Deccio and Newhouse

Eliminating department discretion in authorizing release of relevant medical information concerning industrial insurance claimants.

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 26, 1987; February 2, 1987; January 19, 1988

Senate Staff:David Cheal (786-7576)

AS OF JANUARY 15, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The section which this bill would amend requires that all medical information related and relevant to a claim shall be made available throughout the proceeding to the employer, claimant's representative and the Department, upon request.  The person releasing the information (usually the attending physician) is insulated from liability which might otherwise result from release of the information.  This section applies only to information which is relevant to the particular injury in the opinion of the Department.

SUMMARY:

The requirement that the information to be released be relevant to the injury "in the opinion of the Department" is removed.

The term "workmen" is replaced throughout the section with the gender-neutral term of "worker."

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested