Kansas State Senate Gives Approval to Workers Comp Reform

The Kansas State Senate gave its approval to workers compensation reform March 21.

 

 

According to the Kansas Reporter, the bill will make it more difficult for individuals to file false claims by shoring up reporting requirements, increasing the caps on payouts for injury or death, and making it easier to test for drug or alcohol impairment immediately following an injury. (WCxKit)

 

 

The bill had already gained approval in the House in February by a 90 to 29 vote. Senate and House negotiators are slated to meet in conference committee to iron out the differences between the two versions and submit the compromise to both chambers for approval.

 

 

The legislation, over which labor and business interests went back-and-forth on for months last year, increases caps on workers comp benefits as much as $30,000, to a maximum $155,000 for a worker totally and permanently disabled on the job. Maximum benefits if an employee dies on the job would go up $50,000, to $300,000.

 

 

The bill also mandates workers who don’t report job injuries immediately, or who go to a private doctor instead of reporting the injury to their employer immediately, to explain in more detail when they file claims why that happened.

 

 

According to supporters, those provisions are intended to avert claims brought by workers who were taking drugs or using alcohol when the injuries took place as well as anyone who might try to pass off a prior injury as work related.

 

 

Also, illegal immigrants injured on the job would be entitled to have medical expenses paid, but would not be eligible for disability payments unless the employer was aware of the workers' undocumented status. (WCxKit)

 

 

During Senate floor debate, the most noticeable disagreement came on a proposal to grant the secretary of the Kansas Department of Labor authority to appoint all five judges hearing appeals of worker injury cases and require Senate confirmation of each.