Washington

Opportunities abound!  Prior to the beginning of the 2007 Legislative Session, Washington State Governor Christine O. Gregoire (D-WA) negotiated with employer and labor groups to revamp some of the Revised Codes of Washington (RCW) affecting workers compensation. With the help of Rich Wilson, Return to Work Coordinator at the Washington Department of Labor & Industries, and listening to stakeholders, Governor Gregoire proactively submitted bill ESSB 5920(http://www.leg.wa.gov/pub/billinfo/2007-08/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/Senate%20Final/5920-S.FBR.pdf). 

In part, the results are a 5-year pilot project offering eligible injured workers an opportunity for real retraining benefits. The current law allows for $4,000 and 52 weeks of retraining time and money. Starting January 1 2008, through June 30, 2013, eligible injured workers could receive up to $12,000 (indexed to tuition inflation) and 2 years of retraining benefits. In addition, injured workers would continue to receive time loss benefits, based on at least 60% of their gross income tax free, while retraining. As you can imagine, WAIARP supported and testified on behalf of the new law. 

As a valued stakeholder in Washington State, WAIARP has been invited to participate in creating the ‘rules’ or the Washington Administrative Code, surrounding the RCWs.  IARP has an opportunity and responsibility to help craft the methodologies to help create a model system, and we need to get it right.  ESSB 5920 will significantly impact service delivery and undoubtedly will increase vocational counselors’ responsibilities in walking our clients through the system appropriately.

In addition to this new law, about six months ago, the Washington Department of Labor & Industries, the primary workers compensation insurer in Washington State, opened up their computer systems. This means that injured workers, attorneys, medical providers and vocational rehabilitation counselors have essentially immediate access to all imaged documents related to an industrial injury claim. At this point, I do not believe that we have fully integrated the full impact of confidentiality and the information age on steroids.  Any thoughts that you might have around this subject or creating methodologies in the implementation of ESSB 5920, please contact Washington Chapter President, Bradley K. Ehrlich at:  bradley@career-opps.com.