Washington state lawmakers approve workers comp reforms
Reprints
OLYMPIA, Wash.—Washington state legislators approved a workers compensation reform bill that its backers say will save the state's disability system $1.1 billion over the next four years.
H.B. 2123 passed the Washington state House on a 69-26 vote and the Senate on a 35-12 vote on Monday, wrapping a three-week effort to revamp the state's system.
Gov. Christine Gregorie, who backed the workers comp reform effort, is expected to sign the bill into law.
“Among several provisions, the agreement reached (Monday) promotes getting workers back on the job faster, freezes cost of living allowances to ensure parity with others and provides the option of a structured claims settlement,” Gov. Gregorie said in a statement.
Avoid rate increases
The bill also would help Washington avoid a double-digit workers compensation rate increase, which backers say will help stimulate the state's job market.
“Although we hoped for stronger reforms, I think (this bill) will begin to fix our broken workers compensation system, avoid double-digit rate increases and create an economic climate that gives employers the certainty they need to create jobs,” House Republican leader Rep. Richard DeBolt, R-Chehalis, said in a statement.
A spokeswoman for the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, which provides workers comp insurance for more than 168,000 employers and 2.5 million workers, said the agency still was examining the legislation, but overall the agency is “excited about the changes” that will give it “the tools to reduce costs for employers.”
The Olympia-based Assn. of Washington Business also lauded the legislation but also said more work remains to be done.
“Washington state's workers compensation system cannot continue indefinitely in its current state—even with the changes reflected in this agreement,” association President Don Brunell said in a statement. “That is a conversation that will need to continue after the gavel falls this spring.”
Read Next
-
Tenn. legislators approve revamp of captive insurer law
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—The Tennessee House and Senate have passed a measure rewriting the state’s existing captive insurance law and replacing it with one that, among other things, would allow the formation of protected cell captives, branch captives and special-purpose financial captives.
