This bill amends RCW 51.32.060 to update the workers' compensation benefits for individuals who experience permanent total disability due to workplace injuries or diseases. For claims with a date of injury or disease manifestation on or after July 1, 2026, the bill stipulates that workers will receive 100 percent of their employer's payment for health care benefits, unless the employer continues to provide these benefits at the same level as at the time of injury. Additionally, the bill outlines a tiered percentage of the worker's wages based on their marital and parental status, with percentages ranging from 60 percent for unmarried workers with no children to 75 percent for those with six or more children.

The bill also establishes that these new provisions will apply specifically to claims with a date of injury or disease manifestation on or after July 1, 2026, and it sets an effective date for the changes to take place on that same date. Other existing provisions regarding compensation for temporary or total disability, the hiring of attendants for physically helpless workers, and the limitations on monthly payments remain intact, with the new language providing clarity and updates to the benefits structure for future claims.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 51.32.060