SENATE BILL REPORT

ESSB 5634

BYSenate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Talmadge, Newhouse, Nelson, Smitherman, Halsan and Rasmussen; by request of Department of Labor and Industries)

Revising provisions governing crime victims compensation.

Senate Committee on Judiciary

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 28, 1987; February 6, 1987; February 26, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended and refer to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators Talmadge, Chairman; Halsan, Vice Chairman; Bottiger, McCaslin, Moore, Newhouse.

Senate Staff:Carolyn J. Mayer (786-7418)

                  February 26, 1987

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 9, 1987

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5634 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators McDermott, Chairman; Gaspard, Vice Chairman; Bauer, Bluechel, Cantu, Craswell, Deccio, Fleming, Hayner, Lee, McDonald, Moore, Owen, Rasmussen, Rinehart, Saling, Talmadge, Vognild, Williams, Wojahn, Zimmerman.

Senate Staff:Stephen Rose (786-7443)

                  March 16, 1987

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 13, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Victims of most crimes in the State of Washington are entitled to compensation for bodily injury or death through the Department of Labor and Industries.  Victims of vehicular assault or vehicular homicide, however, are entitled to receive benefits only if the offender is convicted of those crimes.

Under current law, the limit on benefits payable to individuals suffering permanent total disability is less than for individuals suffering temporary total disability.

SUMMARY:

The Department may authorize payment of benefits to victims of vehicular assault or vehicular homicide when; (1) a criminal conviction of the defendant driver has been obtained, or (2) the probable defendant driver has died in the accident or has been so physically or mentally disabled as to be incapable of standing trial and the Department has established by a preponderance of the evidence that a vehicular crime was committed.

Except for authorized medical benefits, no more than $15,000 may be granted for a single injury or death.  The limit on benefits granted as the result of total permanent disability or death shall not exceed $20,000.  Benefits payable for total temporary disability are limited to $10,000.

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: JUDICIARY:  Dan Hainline, Department of Labor and Industries; Diane Oberquell, Families and Friends of Missing Persons and Violent Crimes Victims; Brett Buckley, Department of Labor and Industries

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS:  No one