S-848                 _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 5343

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Senators Halsan, Tanner, Smitherman, Vognild, Warnke, Deccio and Newhouse

Read first time 1/23/87 and referred to Committee on  Commerce & Labor.

AN ACT Relating to industrial insurance; and amending RCW 51.36.060.

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

        Sec. 1.  Section 53, chapter 289, Laws of 1971 ex. sess. as amended by section 15, chapter 224, Laws of 1975 1st ex. sess. and RCW 51.36.060 are each amended to read as follows:

          Physicians examining or attending injured ((workmen)) workers under this title shall comply with rules and regulations adopted by the director, and shall make such reports as may be requested by the department or self-insurer upon the condition or treatment of any  such ((workman)) worker, or upon any other matters concerning such ((workmen)) workers in their care.  All medical information in the possession or control of any person and relevant to the particular injury ((in the opinion of the department)) pertaining to any ((workman)) worker whose injury or occupational disease is the basis of a claim under this title shall be made available at any stage of the proceedings to the employer, the claimant's representative, and the department upon request, and no person shall incur any legal liability by reason of releasing such information.