Legislation to update the state’s workers’ compensation system and provide better care for injured workers and more affordable workers’ compensation costs for Kentucky businesses passed out of the House with a 55-39 vote Wednesday.
House Bill 2, sponsored by Rep. Adam Koenig, is supported by a large coalition of organizations in the Commonwealth including the Kentucky Chamber, Kentucky Retail Federation, Kentucky League of Cities, Kentucky School Board Association, Kentucky Association of Counties, Kentucky Guild of Brewers, Kentucky Association of Economic Development, UPS, Ford, Toyota, and many others.
Rep. Koenig introduced a floor amendment that was part of a compromise with the fire fighters, who have publically supported the bill.
The legislation seeks to update the state’s workers compensation system, which has seen no significant statutory changes since 1996. House Bill 2:
- Clarify that the limitation on reopening claims already in Kentucky’s law will be applied
- Set appropriate limits for filing claims on injuries identified years after exposure
- Ensure the proper standard of care through treatment guidelines
- Address the state’s opioid addiction problem through formulary guidelines
- Encourage employers to bring workers back to work quickly
- Establish appropriate durations of payment of medical claims
Watch an interview with Rep. Koenig about the legislation here.
House Bill 2 now heads to the Senate to be heard in committee.
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