This week, the Senate continued to hold hearings on House Bill 81, legislation that would make several changes to Ohio’s workers’ compensation laws. Some of the changes HB 81 would make include:

• reducing the statute of limitations for violations of a specific safety rule (VSSR) from two years to one year;
• increasing the funeral expense benefit cap for inflation;
• changing rules for final claim settlement agreements;
• continuing jurisdiction changes; and
• clarifying the voluntary abandonment doctrine.

The Senate Insurance and Financial Institutions Committee heard from a variety of witnesses, including the OMA, which provided proponent testimony. The bill is expected to receive further Senate consideration. 2/6/2020