To modify the definitions and requirements in the law that mandates employers obtain insurance covering injured workers compensation benefits. Among other things the bill would revise the formula by which compensation levels are set, require workers still able to work to make a "good faith effort" to find work, and more. The most controversial provision bases an injured workers compensation on "reasonably available" job pay levels, rather than the person's previous job, even if the person can't find one of those "reasonably available" jobs. A number of these proposed changes reflect what courts have already ruled in some controversial cases.   Official Text and Analysis.

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance as previously described.

To adopt a less restrictive basis for determining the level of compensation payable to a partially disabled worker who is still able to work.

To require an employer to pay for an injured worker to get a second opinion on treatment recommended by a doctor selected by the employer.

To revise a provision cutting benefits if a partially-disabled employee gets fired from another job, limiting such cutoffs to dismissals that were caused by the worker's "misconduct" instead of one's that were the individual's own "fault".

To strip out provisions revising details of the appointment, qualifications, evaluation and terms of workers compensation magistrates.

To revise the definition of "retirement age" in a provision that modifies workers comp benefits based on whether a person is also receiving retirement benefits.

To cut off workers comp benefits if an injured worker is found to be an illegal alien.

To require the state workers compensation agency to make recommendations on detecting and preventing waste, fraud and abuse in the system.

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that among other changes would not apply the proposed provisions to police and firefighters, and would limit reductions to a worker's benefits on account to being on Social Security to 50 percent of the regular benefit.

To essentially strip out the bill's most substantive provisions related to the definitions of "disabled" and the duties of partially-disabled workers.

To grant partially disabled workers the same benefits as fully disabled workers as long as they are engaging in a good faith effort to find work within their wage-earning capacity.

To adopt a less restrictive basis for determining the level of compensation payable to a partially disabled worker who is still able to work.

To also make employers responsible for paying for specialized vehicles necessary because of an injury's effects.

To exempt "skilled trades workers" from the bills provisions.

To limit the application of a cap on workers comp benefits paid to certain workers who are also collecting Social Security benefits.

To exempt veterans from the bill's provisions.

To exempt prison guards from the bill's provisions.

To exempt teachers from the bill's provisions.

To eliminate a provision essentially increasing the burden of proof that a mental disability arose out out of actual events of employment, and so is eligible for workers comp.

To only require an injured employee to use a doctor preferred by the employer for 10 days (actually a doctory preferred by the employer's insurance company), instead of 28 days, after which the employee can get the treatment payments made to his or her own doctor).

To establish that testimony from a vocational expert is not needed to deterimine that a partially disabled worker's skills are not transferrable to another job.

To modify the definitions and requirements in the law that mandates employers obtain insurance covering injured workers compensation benefits. Among other things the bill would revise the formula by which compensation levels are set, require workers still able to work to make a "good faith effort" to find work, and more. The most controversial provision bases an injured workers compensation on "reasonably available" job pay levels, rather than the person's previous job, even if the person can't find one of those "reasonably available" jobs. A number of these proposed changes reflect what courts have already ruled in some controversial cases. The bill would not apply to police and firefighters.

To give the bill immediate effect.

To exempt prison guards, teachers, hospital workers and skilled tradesmen from the bill's provisions.

To create an emergency room exception to a provision requiring a worker getting medical services that are paid for by an employer's workers comp insurance company must use a physician selected by the insurer for at the first 28 days.

To adopt a less restrictive basis for determining the level of compensation payable to a partially disabled worker who is still able to work.

To adopt a more expansive definition of "disabilty" for purposes of determining how much compensation an injured worker is entitled to.

To strip out a provision of the bill that repeals a section authorizing hearings before referee or a magistrate to resolve disputes regarding workers comp benefits. The amended law would still have an appeal process.

To concur with the Senate-passed version of the bill, which among other changes exempted police and firefighters from the bill's provisions.