Late Thursday, the state Senate passed Bill 1723, which would give Hanford workers who contract certain illnesses the presumption that their exposures to chemicals at the nuclear site caused their diseases. That would make it easier for them to get workers' compensation.
The approval comes after several, KING 5 investigations.
The final vote was 35 to 14.
Some opponents said the workers' comp measures went too far, creating a special class of employees for Hanford workers.
The bill now heads back to the House for concurrence, then to Governor Jay Inslee's desk.