BILL REQ. #:  S-1560.1 

Read first time 02/06/2007.   Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development.

     AN ACT Relating to a study of the outcomes of injured workers; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The department of labor and industries shall conduct a study of the outcomes of injured workers found employable and not eligible for vocational rehabilitation benefits. The outcomes to be studied shall include the injured workers' employment status at the time the study is conducted, and the injured workers' economic status at the time the study is conducted compared to their economic status prior to injury.
     (2) The department shall contract with an independent researcher, approved by the labor and business members of the workers' compensation advisory committee, to conduct the study.
     (3) In conducting the study, the researcher selected shall consider the following:
     (a) The employment history of the injured worker found to be employable two years and four years after the worker's claim was closed;
     (b) The number of injured workers found to be employable by the department who later receive other forms of public assistance; and
     (c) Innovative programs in other jurisdictions that have gainful employment statutes without a minimum wage component.
     (4) The department shall report to the workers' compensation advisory committee on the results of the study on or before July 1, 2008.