WSIA

It was a short but momentous legislative session with a couple major changes in the law that will reverberate. Here's a run-down of what happened in issues of concern to the workers' compensation and safety community.

Earlier this week, the Department of Labor & Industries published for public comment a series of proposed administrative rules that, taken together, form the first major attempt to modernize self-insurance regulations in decades. 

Washington and Florida legislatures both passed PTSD bills for first responders and both states’ governors are considering whether to sign them. Both have interesting similarities and differences. Perhaps not surprisingly, Washington’s version goes much, much further.

Here's a run-down of what happened in issues of concern to the workers' compensation and safety community.

In a dramatic and surprising vote Wednesday afternoon, the House Appropriations Committee voted down Engrossed Senate Bill 6213 on a bi-partisan vote of 17 to 16, apparently ending the campaign this year by first responders' unions to add numerous conditions and occupations to the firefighter presumption statute.

For workers' compensation and safety, the shift in legislative power will put an increased focus toward compromise on bills that are primarily defensive for employers. It will not be an era where systemic reform proposals of the past years, from occupational disease to structured settlements to wage simplification and benefit accuracy, will receive much attention or traction.

Earlier this week, the Department of Labor & Industries filed the formal paperwork to once again consider a reduction in the discount rate for pension reserves in the Washington workers' compensation system.