Washington § 51.32.053 - Transportation network companies — Driver death benefits.

(1) In addition to the coverage provided in RCW 51.16.250, death benefits shall be payable in accordance with RCW 51.32.050 when a transportation network company driver's death results from an injury occurring while the driver is:

(a) Logged onto the transportation network company's digital network as available for work;

(b) Physically inside the transportation network company driver's vehicle or within the immediate proximity of the transportation network company driver's vehicle; and

(c) Not otherwise covered by this title.

(2) As applicable, for the purposes of this section, the definitions in RCW 49.46.300 apply.

(3) For the purposes of this section, the applicable statute of limitations begins upon the driver's death.

(4) The department may adopt rules to implement this section.

Intent—2024 c 184: "(1) The legislature intends to extend survivor death benefits under the industrial insurance act for the surviving dependents of transportation network company drivers when certain conditions are met. The legislature recognizes the devastating impact that such a death has on the surviving family members.

(2) By the enactment of section 2 of this act, the legislature honors the memory of transportation network company drivers who have died while working in Washington in recent years, including Cherno Ceesay, who died in 2020, Mohamed Kediye, who died in 2022, Mohamadou Kabba and Amare Geda, who died in 2023, and Abdikadir Gedi Shariif, who died in 2024." [ 2024 c 184 s 1.]