SB 986-Relating to Workers’ Compensation System Administration
On Monday, SB 986, relating to Workers’ Compensation System Administration, by Senator Wilton Simpson (R-Trilby) was heard by the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee and passed with 11 yeas and 0 nays.
SB 986 provides additional administrative tools to the deep vision of Worker's Compensation for penalty enforcement and stop work order fines. Two amendments were offered by Senator Chris Smith (D – Fort Lauderdale) and adopted by this committee to improve the bill and eliminate concerns the business community had earlier expressed about its potential unintended consequences for fraud. AIF General Counsel, Tammy Perdue, stood in support of this measure.
SB 986 will now go to Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government.
AIF supports Florida’s current workers’ compensation law and any proposed change to the workers’ compensation system- in the courtroom or Legislature- will be evaluated through the prism of coverage affordability, market stability, and employee safety.
SB 1402 & HB 7073-Relating to Ratification of Department of Financial Services Rule
On Monday, February 1st, SB 1402, relating to Ratification of Department of Financial Services Rule, by Senator David Simmons (R-Longwood) was heard by the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee and passed with 11 yeas and 0 nays. AIF’s General Counsel, Tammy Perdue, stood in support of this bill.
On Tuesday, February 2nd, HB 7073, relating to Ratification of Rules/ Florida Workers’ Compensation Health Care Provider Reimbursement Manual, by the House Rulemaking Oversight & Repeal Subcommittee and Rep. Lake Ray (R-Jacksonville)was heard before the House Government Operations Appropriations Subcommittee and passed with 12 yeas and 0 nays. AIF’s General Counsel, Tammy Perdue, stood in support of this bill.
SB 1402 and its House companion, HB 7073, address adoption of the current version of the Florida Worker's Compensation healthcare provider reimbursement manual. This manual has not been adopted or updated since 2008, leaving Florida well behind every other state in the amount of reimbursement it pays to healthcare providers for the treatment of injured workers.
SB 1402 bill will now go to its last committee stop in the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee.
HB 7073 will now go to the House Regulatory Affairs Committee to be heard.
AIF supports legislation that will keep Florida’s Workers’ Compensation system a stable and self-executing mechanism that benefits both injured workers and Florida’s employers.
HB 613- Relating to Workers’ Compensation System Administration
On Thursday, February 4th, HB 613, relating to Workers’ Compensation System Administration, by Rep. Jennifer Sullivan (R-Eustis) was heard before the House Regulatory Affairs Committee and unanimously passed. AIF’s General Counsel, Tammy Perdue, stood in support of this bill.
The workers’ compensation law requires an employer to obtain coverage for their “employees” that provides for lost income and all medically necessary remedial treatment, attendance, and care resulting from work related injuries and occupational diseases. The Division of Workers’ Compensation within the Department of Financial Services (DFS) provides regulatory oversight of the system. The DFS’ responsibilities include enforcing employer compliance with coverage requirements, administration of the workers’ compensation health care delivery system, collecting system data, and assisting injured workers regarding their benefits and rights.
Today the committee adopted two amendments to the bill. One was technical and the other eliminated language that could have opened a loophole for limited liability company members. With these changes, the bill is now identical to its Senate companion, Senate Bill 986. AIF supports this legislation and salutes Representative Sullivan for her leadership on this measure that enables the Florida Division of Workers' Compensation to maintain the system in its intended self – executing nature.
HB 613 will now head to the House floor for consideration.
AIF supports Florida’s current workers’ compensation law and any proposed change to the workers’ compensation system- in the courtroom or Legislature- will be evaluated through the prism of coverage affordability, market stability, and employee safety.
