The OMA testified this week in support of the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation’s (BWC) proposed two-year operating budget, House Bill 75. The House added several noteworthy reforms to the bill that have OMA’s support, including:

• Reducing the statute of limitations for occupational disease claims from two years to one year;
• Preventing claimants who were previously denied a permanent disability benefit from reapplying unless there is a change in circumstances; and
• Aligning permanent partial disability filing timelines for temporary total disability compensation and for claims where wages are paid in lieu of compensation.

The BWC budget bill is expected to be voted out of the Senate Insurance Committee next week and will head to the Senate floor shortly thereafter. 5/27/2021