Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 296-15 WAC, Workers' compensation self insurance rules and regulations, this chapter governs employers who are permitted to self-insure their workers' compensation obligation pursuant to Title 51 RCW. This filing includes modifications to existing sections regarding requirements for department-approved claims administrators.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 51.04.020, 51.14.020, 51.32.190, 51.14.090, and 51.14.095.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: At the request of the self-insured community, the department has agreed to evaluate the need for, and potentially implement, a continuing education model in place of, or in conjunction with, the current requirements for recertification of department-approved claims administrators.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: No other state, local or federal agency regulates this subject.

     Process for Developing New Rule: Labor and industries will work with representatives of the labor and self-insured employer communities on all changes to the self-insurance regulations. A public hearing will be held in Tumwater after the proposal is filed.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Jean Vanek, Department of Labor and Industries, Self Insurance Section, P.O. Box 44890, Olympia, WA 98504-4892, phone (360) 902-6907, fax (360) 902-6900, vanj235@lni.wa.gov.

June 20, 2006

Gary Weeks

Director

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