BILL REQ. #:  S-3745.1 

Read first time 01/19/2004.   Referred to Committee on Commerce & Trade.

     AN ACT Relating to industrial insurance claims filed with the department of labor and industries; amending RCW 51.32.210; and adding a new section to chapter 51.32 RCW.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 51.32.210 and 1977 ex.s. c 350 s 55 are each amended to read as follows:
     Claims of injured workers of employers who have secured the payment of compensation by insuring with the department shall be promptly acted upon by the department. The department must enter an order allowing or denying a claim within ninety days from the date that the claim is filed with the department. Where temporary disability compensation is payable, the first payment thereof shall be mailed within fourteen days after receipt of the claim at the department's offices in Olympia and shall continue at regular semimonthly intervals. The payment of this or any other benefits under this title, prior to the entry of an order by the department in accordance with RCW 51.52.050 as now or hereafter amended, shall be not considered a binding determination of the obligations of the department under this title. The acceptance of compensation by the worker or his or her beneficiaries prior to such order shall likewise not be considered a binding determination of their rights under this title.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 51.32 RCW to read as follows:
     The department of labor and industries may purchase services by contract from individuals, nonprofit organizations, or businesses to provide for management of some or all industrial insurance claims filed with the state fund under this title.