S-910                 _______________________________________________

                                   SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 8407

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State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Senators Moore, Anderson, Lee, Warnke, Vognild, Smitherman and Wojahn; by request of Joint Select Committee on Industrial Insurance

Read first time 2/6/87 and referred to Committee on Commerce & Labor.

WHEREAS,  The industrial insurance system of the state of Washington has been subjected to intensive review and analysis in recent years; and

          WHEREAS,  The legislature has made significant modifications to the industrial insurance system and to the system's vocational rehabilitation program during this period of review; and

          WHEREAS,  The importance of the vocational rehabilitation system to the welfare of injured workers and to returning these workers to employment warrants continuing legislative oversight and analysis; and

          WHEREAS,  The vocational rehabilitation program significantly impacts employers' responsibilities under the industrial insurance system;

          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By Senate of the State of Washington, the House of Representatives concurring, That a Joint Select Committee on Vocational Rehabilitation be established to review and analyze the industrial insurance system's vocational rehabilitation program; and

          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the committee, through consultation with the Department of Labor and Industries, the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals, and the various interest groups affected by the industrial insurance system, shall review and make recommendations on the following issues:

          (1) The vocational rehabilitation program and its effectiveness in returning injured workers to gainful employment; and

          (2)  Methods to make "return to work" the goal of the vocational rehabilitation program, giving consideration to such factors as establishing incentives for employers and employees when injured workers return to work; encouraging the use of loss of earning power payments to injured workers; creating a system that allows both wage loss and impairment awards; and allowing disabled workers with part-time or casual employment to earn wages that are partially deducted from benefits; and

          (3) Any other industrial insurance issue that the committee determines to be pertinent to its general responsibility; and

          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the committee shall consist of ten voting members appointed as follows:

          (1) Two members from each caucus of the Senate, selected by the President of the Senate; at least one member from each caucus shall be a member of the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee;

          (2) Two members from each caucus of the House of Representatives, selected by the Speaker; at least one member from each caucus shall be a member of the House Commerce and Labor Committee; and

          (3) The chairs of the Senate and House of Representatives Commerce and Labor Committees; and

          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the committee will use legislative staff and facilities, but may hire additional staff with specific technical expertise if such expertise is necessary to carry out the mandates of this resolution.  All expenses of the committee shall be paid jointly by the Senate and the House of Representatives; and

          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the committee shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature by the commencement of the 1988 regular session of the Legislature.  The committee shall cease to exist on April 1, 1988.