Lawmakers Pass Penalty, PTSD and IME Bills

Lawmakers in Washington state passed bills ahead of the crossover deadline that would allow post-traumatic stress disorder claims for 911 dispatchers, increase penalties for certain claims-handling violations and limit the number of independent medical exams injured workers can be compelled to attend. The state House of Representatives on Feb. 18 voted 97-0 to pass House Bill 2758, which would allow “public safety telecommunicators” to file PTSD claims. The House on the same day voted 52-44 to pass HB 2409, which would increase employer penalties and create a statutory responsibi...