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WashingtonHB 17882025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Concerning workers' compensation benefits.

Sponsored By: Adison Richards (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Higher disability payments for worker families

Beginning July 1, 2026, Washington uses higher permanent-total-disability payment rates for unmarried workers with children. The new schedule applies to claims with an injury or disease manifestation date on or after that date. Unmarried workers receive these shares of wages monthly: no children, 60%; one, 65%; two, 67%; three, 69%; four, 71%; five, 73%; six or more, 75%. Married workers keep these rates: no children, 65%; one, 67%; two, 69%; three, 71%; four, 73%; five or more, 75%. Earlier claims keep the prior schedule, including unmarried-worker rates of 60%, 62%, 64%, 66%, 68%, and 70% for zero through five or more children. For qualifying claims after July 1, 2008, the monthly minimum starts at 15% of the state average wage. It adds $10 for a married worker and $10 per child. The new claims can count six children instead of five, adding up to $10 monthly. Existing benefit limits and eligibility rules remain: voluntarily retired workers outside the workforce cannot receive these payments on new or reopened claims. When both spouses receive temporary or total disability compensation, only the higher-wage spouse can count their children. Attendant-care payments are allowed for permanent total disability, but not while the worker receives care under the cited workers’ compensation care laws. A later accident causing permanent total disability can qualify a worker for a pension despite an earlier injury’s lump-sum payment.

Child custodians get part of compensation

For Washington claims dated on or after July 1, 2026, a child's separate legal custodian receives 2% of the worker's wages. The date means the injury date or the date the disease appears. The worker's or surviving spouse's payment falls by the same amount, so this does not increase total compensation. Custodian payments cover only periods after the state labor department receives notice; custodians must also report custody changes. The entire law has a funding condition: without specific funding in the omnibus appropriations act by June 30, 2025, it is null and void.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Adison Richards

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Dan Bronoske

    Democratic • House

  • Edwin Obras

    Democratic • House

  • Gerry Pollet

    Democratic • House

  • Greg Nance

    Democratic • House

  • Jamila Taylor

    Democratic • House

  • Liz Berry

    Democratic • House

  • Mary Fosse

    Democratic • House

  • Osman Salahuddin

    Democratic • House

  • Sharon Wylie

    Democratic • House

  • Timm Ormsby

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 114 • No: 30

Senate vote • 4/15/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 36 • No: 12 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/5/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 78 • No: 18 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter 168, 2025 Laws.

    4/25/2025House

  2. Governor signed.

    4/25/2025legislature

  3. Effective date 7/1/2026.

    4/25/2025House

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/21/2025legislature

  5. President signed.

    4/18/2025legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    4/16/2025legislature

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 36; nays, 12; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    4/15/2025House

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/15/2025House

  9. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    4/9/2025House

  10. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    4/5/2025House

  11. Minority; without recommendation.

    4/3/2025House

  12. Minority; do not pass.

    4/3/2025House

  13. WM - Majority; do pass.

    4/3/2025House

  14. Referred to Ways & Means.

    3/24/2025House

  15. And refer to Ways & Means.

    3/21/2025House

  16. Minority; do not pass.

    3/21/2025House

  17. LC - Majority; do pass.

    3/21/2025House

  18. First reading, referred to Labor & Commerce.

    3/7/2025House

  19. Third reading, passed; yeas, 78; nays, 18; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    3/5/2025House

  20. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/5/2025House

  21. 2nd substitute bill substituted.

    3/5/2025House

  22. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    3/4/2025House

  23. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/28/2025House

  24. APP - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/27/2025House

  25. Minority; do not pass.

    2/27/2025House

Bill Text

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