OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The state House has easily passed a package to overhaul Washington’s workers’ compensation system.
Lawmakers approved the plan Monday, less than 24 hours after they had reached an agreement on it. Republican Rep. Cary Condotta touted the bipartisan negotiations that helped produce the agreement. Democratic Rep. Chris Reykdal argued that the plan would be harmful for workers.
The House passed the measure by a margin of 69-26 and sent it to the Senate.
State leaders had been pursuing the package to increase financial stability in the workers’ compensation system. The largest portion of the plan includes the option of financial settlements to older workers who get injured. Labor groups opposed the idea because it could lead people to accept less benefits than they would otherwise be entitled to receive.
