HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                     HB 1261

Brief Description:  Modifying motor vehicles of injured workers.

Sponsors:  Romero and Conway

Hearing:  February 3, 1999

                 Brief Summary of Bill

$Authorizes the Department of Labor and Industries to increase, by up to $4,000, the amount paid toward modifying the motor vehicles of injured workers who are amputees or are paralyzed.

BACKGROUND:

If an injured worker is an amputee or is paralyzed, the supervisor of industrial insurance at the Department of Labor and Industries may order payment toward the cost of modifying the worker=s motor vehicle.  The amount required to be paid by the state fund or a self-insured employer may not exceed 50 percent of the state=s average annual wage for one year (approximately $15, 239 for fiscal year 1999).

SUMMARY OF BILL:

The supervisor of industrial insurance at the Department of Labor and Industries may, in his or her sole discretion, order an increase in the amount paid toward modifying motor vehicles of injured workers who are amputees or paralyzed.  The supervisor may increase the standard amount (up to 50 percent of the state=s average wage for one year) by no more than $4,000.

This payment may be increased only for claims for injuries that occur on or after the bill=s effective date.

RULES AUTHORITY:  The bill does not contain provisions addressing the rule making powers of an agency.

FISCAL NOTE:  Requested January 31, 1999.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Ninety days after adjournment of a session in which bill is passed.