Labor & Employment (Workers' Compensation)

in committee · Washington · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 6067: Concerning workers' compensation benefits.

SB 6067 updates Washington State's workers' compensation benefits for workers with permanent total disability resulting from injuries occurring on or after July 1, 2026. It establishes a new formula where monthly benefits are calculated as a percentage of the worker's wages (excluding health care contributions), ranging from 60% for unmarried workers without children to 75% for unmarried workers with six or more children or married workers with five or more children. The bill also sets minimum benefit levels (15% of average monthly wage plus $10 per child up to five or six children) and maximum caps (120% of average wage), while preserving existing rules for claims before July 2026. These changes directly affect workers and employers in Washington State whose injuries meet the permanent total disability criteria after the effective date.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentUpdates workers' comp benefits to 60-75% of wages based on dependents, expanding financial support for disabled workers with higher percentages for those with more dependents.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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signed · Washington · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 5847: Concerning access to medical care in workers' compensation.

This bill establishes a state-created network of healthcare providers for workers' compensation cases in Washington. It requires the Department of Labor to set minimum standards for providers (like malpractice insurance and no disciplinary actions) to join the network, and creates a higher-quality "second tier" for providers using occupational health best practices. Injured workers gain the right to choose their initial provider (except in emergencies), and employers cannot steer them toward specific clinics; if no network provider is within 15 miles, workers can access non-network care with guaranteed payment under the department’s fee schedule. The bill directly affects injured workers, employers (including self-insurers), and healthcare providers seeking to treat workers’ compensation cases.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates provider network with quality standards, enables worker choice of initial provider, prevents employer steering - improves access and patient rights in workers' compensation healthcare.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides injured workers choice of initial provider, prevents employer steering, and sets quality standards for medical care in workers' comp - directly advancing worker access to care and rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation Workplace Safety

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SB 5927: Capping the rate of increase for future workers' compensation cost-of-living adjustments.

SB 5927 caps the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for certain workers' compensation pensions at 3%, replacing the current system that tied adjustments to annual changes in Washington's average monthly wage. It directly affects workers receiving pensions under pre-1971 compensation schedules, including surviving spouses and permanently disabled workers. The key change modifies how pension payments are adjusted each year - limiting increases to 3% regardless of actual wage fluctuations, which have previously ranged from 2% to 10.1% annually. This aims to stabilize program costs after cumulative premium increases exceeded 22% since 2020, while maintaining existing benefit formulas.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentCaps COLA at 3% instead of wage-linked, reducing pension adjustments for affected workers, weakening benefit growth.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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in committee · Washington · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 2188: Promoting transparency in certain industrial insurance rate increases.

HB 2188 requires Washington's Department of Labor and Industries to publicly disclose details when it limits workers' compensation insurance rate increases below actuarial recommendations. It directly affects employers in specific risk classes (like manufacturing or construction) whose rates are artificially capped, as well as the public and lawmakers. The bill mandates publishing three key details: the limited rate classes, the actuarial rate without limits, and how other classes absorb the cost difference. This aims to clarify hidden cost shifts and rebuild transparency in the state's workers' compensation program, which has used contingency reserves to suppress rate hikes for three years.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates transparency in capped workers' comp rates, preventing hidden reductions in employer obligations that could weaken worker compensation benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2189: Expanding eligibility for voluntary workers' compensation settlements.

HB 2189 lowers the age requirement for voluntary workers' compensation settlements from 50 to 40 years old for workers with self-insured employers, directly affecting those under 50 who currently cannot use this option. The bill maintains the existing 50-year threshold for state fund claims but aligns self-insured settlement eligibility with 44 other states that allow settlements for workers over 18. Key mechanisms include keeping the 180-day waiting period before settlement, requiring board approval, and mandating a review by an industrial appeals judge if a worker is unrepresented by an attorney. The bill preserves the same settlement structure - covering all benefits except medical care - with options for lump-sum or structured payments based on state wage averages.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands workers' compensation access by lowering age requirement from 50 to 40 for self-insured employers, increasing eligibility for settlements and aligning with 44 states' standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation Workplace Safety

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2214: Allowing self-insurers to accept certain industrial insurance claims

HB 2214 amends Washington State workers' compensation laws to clarify procedures for self-insurers (companies that self-fund employee injury claims) handling industrial injury claims. It shortens the deadline for self-insurers to issue claim decisions from 60 to 30 days and requires them to notify workers and the state department if they fail to act within 65 days, triggering temporary payments and department review. The bill also specifies that accepting initial payments does not bind the self-insurer to future payments or the worker’s rights, and gives the state department authority to investigate disputed claims. This directly affects self-insurers and injured workers in Washington’s industrial sector by standardizing claim processing timelines and oversight.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentShortens self-insurers' claim decision deadline from 60 to 30 days and mandates notifications for delays, accelerating worker compensation access and adding accountability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5548: Concerning workers' compensation benefits.

SB 5548 adjusts Washington State workers' compensation benefits for claims with injuries or disease onset on or after July 1, 2026. It establishes new wage percentage formulas for permanent total disability payments based on marital status and number of children (e.g., unmarried workers with six or more children receive 75% of wages, up from 70% under current rules for pre-2026 claims). The bill also requires 2% of a worker’s wages to be paid to the legal custodian of a child for claims after 2026, reducing the worker’s direct benefit by that amount. These changes apply only to post-2026 claims and do not affect existing benefit structures for earlier dates of injury. The bill is currently stalled in committee after failing to advance to a vote.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases wage replacement for work-related injury/disability claims under workers' compensation, expanding healthcare coverage for affected workers.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases wage percentages for permanent total disability payments (e.g., 75% for unmarried workers with 6+ children vs. 70% currently), expanding workers' compensation benefits.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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signed · Washington · Senate May 17, 2025

SB 5463: Concerning the duties of industrial insurance self-insured employers and third-party administrators.

Senate Bill 5463 expands and clarifies the duties of all self-insured employers and their third-party administrators concerning industrial insurance claims in Washington state. It establishes a clear duty of good faith and fair dealing towards workers, prohibiting actions like coercing workers to accept less than due compensation. The bill empowers the Department of Labor & Industries to investigate violations, impose penalties payable to workers, and mandate corrective actions for repeated failures to uphold this duty. Employers who repeatedly violate these good faith requirements or fail to comply with corrective actions may ultimately have their self-insurer certification withdrawn.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates good faith in claims, prohibits coercion for underpayment, and empowers enforcement to protect worker compensation rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing Workers' Compensation

signed · Washington · House Apr 25, 2025

HB 1788: Concerning workers' compensation benefits.

This bill modifies Washington's workers' compensation benefits, primarily affecting injured workers and their families. For claims with an injury date on or after July 1, 2026, it updates how permanent total disability benefits are calculated. These changes include adding the employer's health care contributions to benefits and adjusting the percentage of a worker's wages received based on marital status and the number of children. Additionally, the bill ensures that child-related compensation payments are made directly to the person with legal custody of a child, rather than to an injured worker or surviving spouse who does not have custody. The act takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAdds employer health care contributions to benefits and adjusts wage percentages based on family status, expanding support for injured workers and families.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1059: Concerning the duties of industrial insurance self-insured employers and third-party administrators.

HB 1059 strengthens oversight of self-insured employers and their third-party administrators in Washington State by requiring them to act in good faith when handling workers' compensation claims. It creates a new rule that allows the state director to withdraw a self-insurer's certification after three proven violations of good faith within three years (e.g., coercing workers to accept less compensation or hiding injury reports). Employers found violating this duty must pay penalties ranging from 1 to 52 times the worker’s average weekly wage, with investigations triggered by written complaints. The law applies to all workers’ compensation claims regardless of injury date and takes effect January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentStrengthens oversight of self-insured employers to prevent coercion and hidden injury reports in workers' comp claims, directly protecting workers' compensation rights and safety standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing Workers' Compensation

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