Date: 02/03/2010

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB10-1038

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS AFFAIRS AND LABOR

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved amendment L.004 (Attachment B). The motion
Moved amendment L.005 (Attachment C). The motion
Moved to refer House Bill 10-1038, as amended, to 		Pass Without Objection
Pass Without Objection
PASS



11:43 AM -- House Bill 10-1038

Representative Miklosi, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 10-1038 concerning a brochure to describe the process for workers' compensation claims. This bill, recommended by the Interim Committee to Study Issues Related to Pinnacol Assurance, requires an employer or the employer's insurance carrier to provide a brochure, approved by the Director of the Division of Workers' Compensation, to each workers' compensation claimant. The brochure will include contact information, a description of the claims process, and a claimant's rights to medical treatment and benefit payments under workers' compensation law. Representative Miklosi explained that the bill came out of the Interim Committee to Study Issues Related to Pinnacol Assurance and mentioned that Pinnacol Assurance supports the bill.

11:46 AM

Representative Liston talked about the amount of information that would be required to be included in the brochure under the bill and asked whether Representative Miklosi thinks it may be too much information for a brochure. Representative Miklosi responded.

11:48 AM -- Shelley Dodge, a Workers' Compensation Claimant Attorney, testified in support of the bill. She said that although the Department of Labor and Employment has a proficient website, the bill will help her older clients and clients who do not have access to a computer. Ms. Dodge also talked about the complexity of workers' compensation. Representative Liston talked about the amount of information that would be required to be included in the brochure under the bill. He also asked how many times the information is required to be given to the worker. Ms. Dodge explained that the brochure would be distributed at the beginning of the claim once, per worker, per injury. She also commented on the amount of information included stating it speaks to the complexity of workers' compensation law.

11:53 AM -- Bob Summers, representing the Colorado Division of Workers' Compensation, testified on the bill. He gave some background on the current workers' compensation process and how the bill would change it. Mr. Summers talked about the provision in the bill regarding claimant's rights that an amendment will be addressing.

11:55 AM -- Phil Hayes, representing the Colorado AFL-CIO, testified in support of the bill. He said the bill provides transparency to those who need it. Mr. Hayes talked about the number of calls the AFL-CIO receives concerning workers' compensation and the benefits the brochure would provide when fielding those calls.

11:57 AM -- David Levy, representing the Workers' Compensation Education Association, testified in support of the bill. He said he is all for as much information as possible.

12:00 PM

Representative Miklosi discussed and distributed Amendment L.004 (Attachment B) and L.005 (Attachment C).

100203AttachB.pdf100203AttachC.pdf

BILL:HB10-1038
TIME: 12:01:10 PM
MOVED:Gagliardi
MOTION:Moved amendment L.004 (Attachment B). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Liston
VOTE
Balmer
Bradford
Casso
Kerr A.
Liston
Middleton
Priola
Soper
Stephens
Gagliardi
Rice
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:HB10-1038
TIME: 12:01:51 PM
MOVED:Gagliardi
MOTION:Moved amendment L.005 (Attachment C). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Bradford
VOTE
Balmer
Bradford
Casso
Kerr A.
Liston
Middleton
Priola
Soper
Stephens
Gagliardi
Rice
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection



12:02 PM

Representative Miklosi gave some closing comments about the bill.

BILL:HB10-1038
TIME: 12:02:42 PM
MOVED:Soper
MOTION:Moved to refer House Bill 10-1038, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed 10-0.
SECONDED:Gagliardi
VOTE
Balmer
Yes
Bradford
Yes
Casso
Yes
Kerr A.
Yes
Liston
Yes
Middleton
Yes
Priola
Yes
Soper
Yes
Stephens
Excused
Gagliardi
Yes
Rice
Yes
Final YES: 10 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS