SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 865

BYRepresentatives Wang, Patrick, Sayan, Holland, Locke, H. Sommers and Grimm

Revising continued service credit for duty disability retirement recipients.

House Committe on Ways & Means/Appropriations

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Majority Report:     Do pass.

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

Senate Staff:Chuck Langen (786-7715)

                March 27, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, MARCH 26, 1987

BACKGROUND:

In 1986 RCW 41.40.223 was enacted to allow members of the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) who became disabled in the line of duty to receive up to 12 months of service credit for such periods of disability.  In order to be eligible for the service credit, the law requires that the member must be receiving benefits under Title 51 RCW (state worker's compensation) and must make both the employer and the employee contributions.

Some members of PERS (such as ferry workers) receive worker's compensation coverage under federal law, not under Title 51 RCW.

SUMMARY:

Public Employees' Retirement System members who become disabled in the line of duty and receive worker's compensation benefits pursuant to federal law are eligible to receive up to 12 months of service credit pursuant to RCW 41.40.223.

Fiscal Note:    available

Senate Committee - Testified:   No one