OLYMPIA, Wash. – Disabled and injured workers in Washington state could be getting additional help from the state after this legislative session ends.
The state Assembly unanimously passed a measure to increase benefits for Washingtonians who become temporarily or permanently disabled at work. HB 2127, requested by the Department of Labor and Industry, was co-sponsored by Republican and Democratic representatives.
While the national economy grew last quarter, food insecurity is on the rise in the Evergreen State, and HB 2127 aims to make it easier for Washingtonians to gain and stay employed.
The policy provides additional funding for work continuation programs and increases wage subsidies for injured workers in transitional work. The bill also allocates additional funding to permanently disabled workers who continue to be employed.
In addition to wage subsidies, the government will also fund skills training such as English classes, technology skills and tutoring, if recommended by a worker’s vocational rehabilitation counselor.
Lawmakers from both major parties are claiming the bill as a victory for their legislative priorities as it heads to the Senate, and with the policy also co-sponsored by Democrats and Republicans in Eastern Washington, reform of the state’s labor laws could be on the horizon.