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Committee advances bill requiring full health-care premium be included in time-loss benefits

Labor and Workplace Standards Committee · January 28, 2026

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Summary

The committee reported HB 23 72 out with a due-pass recommendation (6–3). Debate centered on whether attorney fees may be taken from the health-care portion and whether injured workers would receive enough to cover premiums; an amendment banning attorney fees on the health-care portion failed.

House Bill 23 72, which would require workers' compensation time-loss benefits to include the total amount of an employer's prior monthly payment for health-care benefits, was reported out of committee Jan. 28 with a due-pass recommendation.

Staff described the bill and a line amendment H3226.1 (Rep. Schmidt) that would have required L&I to provide invoices separating health-care from wage portions, to notify employers about experience-rating impacts, and to prohibit attorneys from charging fees on the health-care portion. The committee debated the amendment’s three components: members generally supported better employer notice and invoicing but strongly disagreed with the attorney-fee prohibition as an access-to-justice concern.

Proponents argued the measure ensures injured workers retain health-care coverage while on time loss. Opponents said attorney-fee restrictions could impede claimants’ ability to secure representation and that the overall split between premium and wage portions might leave workers short of funds to pay premiums.

The amendment’s prohibition on attorney fees was not adopted. On final roll-call, staff announced six ayes and three nays; HB 23 72 was reported out of committee with a due-pass recommendation.