HOUSE BILL REPORT

EHB 1839

BYRepresentatives Leonard, Jones, R. King, Prentice, Sayan, Cole, Vekich, Rust and Basich

Requiring employers to maintain employee benefits for an injured worker returning to a light duty job.

House Committe on Commerce & Labor

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendment.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Vekich, Chair; Cole, Vice Chair; Patrick, Ranking Republican Member; Jones, R. King, Leonard, O'Brien, Prentice, Smith, Walker and Wolfe.

House Staff:Chris Cordes (786-7117)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 7, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The industrial insurance act allows an employer to provide a light or modified job to an injured worker while the worker is recovering from his or her injury.  The light duty job must be approved by the worker's physician.  The statute does not specify the compensation that the worker must receive for light duty.

SUMMARY:

If an injured worker is returned to work at light or modified duty during the period in which the worker is unable to return to his or her regular job, the employer must continue or resume the health and welfare benefits and child care benefits to which the worker was entitled at the time of injury.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect July 1, 1989.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Jeff Johnson, Washington State Labor Council.

House Committee - Testified Against:      Lee Eberle, Washington Self-Insurers Association.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Many workers lose their fringe benefits when they return to part-time employment after a workplace injury.  When this occurs, the worker loses the incentive to make a successful return to work transition.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      The bill is not clear about the kinds of benefits that must be provided to the employee on light duty work.