H-4036              _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1882

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1986 Regular Session

By Representatives Chandler, Ebersole and Patrick

Read first time 1/24/86 and referred to Committee on Commerce & Labor.

AN ACT Relating to industrial insurance; and amending RCW 51.48.017.

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

        Sec. 1.  Section 66, chapter 289, Laws of 1971 ex. sess. as amended by section 3, chapter 347, Laws of 1985 and RCW 51.48.017 are each amended to read as follows:

          If a self-insurer unreasonably delays or refuses to pay benefits as they become due, or unreasonably closes a claim under RCW 51.32.055(7), there shall be paid by the self-insurer upon order of the director an additional amount equal to five hundred dollars or twenty-five percent of the amount then due, whichever is greater, which shall accrue for the benefit of the claimant and shall be paid to him with the benefits which may be assessed under this title.  The director shall issue an order determining whether there was an unreasonable delay or refusal to pay benefits within thirty days upon the request of the claimant.  Such an order shall conform to the requirements of RCW 51.52.050.