SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5303

BYSenators Smitherman and Murray; by request of Department of Labor and Industries

Changing provisions relating to vocational rehabilitation.

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 16, 1989

Senate Staff:David Cheal (786-7576)

AS OF JANUARY 20, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Vocational rehabilitation benefits are provided to injured workers when, within the discretion of the department, such vocational rehabilitation is necessary and likely to enable the injured worker to return to work.  In addition to time loss payments, benefits include a variety of costs and expenses such as books, tuition, transportation and child care with a limit of $3,000 in any 52 week period.  A second 52 week period of retraining may be provided at the discretion of the supervisor of Industrial Insurance.  In those cases a total expenditure of $6,000 would occur.

Some retraining programs which can be completed in one year or less involve costs greater than $3,000.

SUMMARY:

The department is given flexibility to spend the maximum of $6,000 per claimant within the first year, instead of over a two-year period, if a retraining plan cannot reasonably be implemented within the primary monetary limit of $3,000.  The department can spend a total of $9,000 in the case of a severely disabled worker who otherwise may not be eligible for a pension, but with the additional expenditure has a good chance of returning to work.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 12, 1989