WSR 21-11-086
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF
LABOR AND INDUSTRIES
[Filed May 18, 2021, 11:04 a.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Title 296 WAC, industrial insurance, independent medical examinations (IME) – case progress.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 51.04.020, 51.04.030.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: ESSB 6440, 2020 legislative session, amended requirements by identifying the reasons IMEs could be used. One requirement, "case progress," in RCW 51.36.070 is not clearly defined. Rule making allows the department of labor and industries to define the term and/or criteria. Rule making may also provide consequences for IMEs that were requested or occurred outside what is allowed by statute or rule.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Parties interested in these rules may contact the individual listed below. The public may also participate by commenting after amendments are proposed by providing written comments and/or testimony during the public hearing and comment process. Public hearings will be held 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 Suzy Campbell, Legal Services, P.O. Box 44270, Olympia, WA 98504-4270, phone 360-902-5003, fax 360-902-5029, TTY 360-902-4252, email suzanne.campbell@Lni.wa.gov.
May 18, 2021
Joel Sacks
Director