Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Labor Committee |
HB 1612
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Addressing the payment of workers' compensation benefits by self-insured employers pending appeal.
Sponsors: Representatives Robinson, Reykdal, Sells, Dunshee and Pollet.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/5/15
Staff: Trudes Tango (786-7384).
Background:
Under the Industrial Insurance Act, employees who, in the course of employment, are injured or disabled by an occupational disease are entitled to benefits. Employers may either be insured through the state fund, administered by the Department of Labor and Industries (Department), or may self-insure if the employer meets certain criteria.
An order by the Department awarding benefits becomes effective and benefits are due on the date the order is issued. A party may appeal the Department's order to the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals. The employer must continue to pay benefits pending appeal unless the Board has stayed the payment of benefits or the claimant has requested the benefits cease during appeal.
If a self-insured employer unreasonably delays or refuses to pay benefits as they become due, including pending an appeal, the Director of the Department may issue an order requiring the employer to pay an additional amount equal to $500 or 25 percent of the amount that is due, whichever amount is greater. The additional amounts accrue for the benefit of the claimant and must be paid to him or her along with the benefits due.
Summary of Bill:
The additional amounts a self-insured employer may be ordered to pay for unreasonable delay or refusal to pay benefits pending an appeal to the Board is changed to an escalating scale. The penalty is either $1,000 or a specified percentage of the amount of benefits that are due, whichever is greater. The percentage starts at 25 percent of the amount due for the first violation and increases by 10 percent for each subsequent violation the self-insured employer commits within 24 months of the first violation.
The additional amounts accrue for the benefit of the claimant. The director of the Department must issue an order determining whether there was an unreasonable delay or refusal to pay benefits.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 2, 2015.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.