PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
LABOR AND INDUSTRIES
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 296-19A WAC, Vocational rehabilitation; chapter 296-14 WAC, Industrial insurance; and chapter 296-15 WAC, Workers' compensation self-insurance rules and regulations.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 51.04.020, 51.04.030, 51.32.095, and chapter 72, Laws of 2007 (ESSB 5920).
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The proposed rules will assist in the implementation of chapter 72, Laws of 2007 (ESSB 5920). To implement the pilot program for vocational rehabilitation services, this rule making will include new rules and may include amendments of existing rules.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: No other federal or state agencies regulate this subject.
Process for Developing New Rule: Labor and industries will begin the rule development process and will share the draft proposal with stakeholders and other interested parties, including the workers' compensation advisory committee. Public hearings will be held throughout the state after the proposal is filed.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Valerie Grimm, Department of Labor and Industries, P.O. Box 44208, Olympia, WA 98504-4208, phone (360) 902-5005, fax (360) 902-4960, e-mail COLB235@LNI.WA.GOV.
May 22, 2007
Judy Schurke
Director