BILL REQ. #:  Z-0291.3 

Read first time 01/21/2003.   Referred to Committee on Commerce & Trade.

     AN ACT Relating to claims for hearing loss due to occupational noise exposure; and amending RCW 51.28.055.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 51.28.055 and 1984 c 159 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section for claims filed for occupational hearing loss, claims for occupational disease or infection to be valid and compensable must be filed within two years following the date the worker had written notice from a physician: (((1))) (a) Of the existence of his or her occupational disease, and (((2))) (b) that a claim for disability benefits may be filed. The notice shall also contain a statement that the worker has two years from the date of the notice to file a claim. The physician shall file the notice with the department. The department shall send a copy to the worker and to the self-insurer if the worker's employer is self-insured. However, a claim is valid if it is filed within two years from the date of death of the worker suffering from an occupational disease.
     (2)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, to be valid and compensable, claims for hearing loss due to occupational noise exposure must be filed within two years of the date of the worker's last injurious exposure to occupational noise in employment covered under this title or within one year of the effective date of this section, whichever is later.
     (b) A claim for hearing loss due to occupational noise exposure that is not timely filed under (a) of this subsection can only be allowed for medical aid benefits under chapter 51.36 RCW.
     (3) The department may adopt rules to implement this section.