issue area reports | employment and labor law
At center , Sen . Curtis King , R-Yakima , and Sen . Karen Keiser , D-Des Moines , the ranking minority member and the chair of the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee , share a light moment with Senate Minority Leader John Braun , R-Centralia ( left ) and Sen . Steve Conway , D-Tacoma . Keiser is also president pro tempore of the Senate .
HB 1927 workers compensation
Passed / AWB Opposed sponsor : Rep . Dan Bronoske , D-Lakewood
This bill lowers the required time loss waiting period from 14 days to seven days when a worker is filing for disability workers ’ compensation payments . This will create new costs for employers through the workers ’ compensation system . It also creates a problem by reducing the time the Department of Labor & Industries has to determine eligibility before paying out benefits . That could result in interlocutory orders for overpayments made during this earlier time frame before the department realizes that it shouldn ’ t have paid benefits for the time loss . The end result will be greater costs for the program .
HB 2127 return to work incentives
Passed / AWB Supported sponsor : Rep . Suzanne Schmidt , R-Spokane Valley
This bill provides funds and higher reimbursements to help in vocational training when barriers such as language skills prevent the completion of the Returnto-Work program . By helping injured employees get back to work on light duty as quickly as possible , it aids in recovery , reduces long-term disabilities and lowers workers ’ compensation costs .
SB 5368 off-site light duty for return-to-work
Failed / AWB Supported
Sponsor : Sen . Karen Keiser , D-Des Moines
This bill would have expanded access to the workers ’ compensation Stay-at- Work program through off-site light duty return-to-work opportunities . It would have allowed small employers to place workers in nonprofits as part of a return-towork program . This helps the community and provides the quick return-to-work opportunities that help keep injured employees productive and reduces the likelihood of long-term disabilities that come when they don ’ t return to work on a daily basis . Unfortunately , after passing out of the Senate , the House tried to change the bill so substantially that it would have undermined the entire Return-to-Work program . The modified bill failed to advance in the House .
Bill considered as part of AWB ’ s voting record
Favorable outcome for Washington businesses
Missed Opportunities
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