Colorado Legislative Council Staff

REVISED NO FISCAL IMPACT

(Replaces Fiscal Note dated January 30, 1998)


Drafting Number:

Prime Sponsor(s):

LLS 98-297

Rep. C. Berry

Sen. Norton

Date:

Bill Status:

Fiscal Analyst:

February 3, 1998

House Business Affairs

Will Meyer (866-4976)

 

TITLE:            CONCERNING THE REESTABLISHMENT OF AN EXCLUSIVE SCHEDULE FOR PERMANENT PARTIAL DISABILITY, AND, IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF BENEFITS RECEIVED UNDER THE SCHEDULE AND LIMITING BENEFITS FOR MENTAL STRESS.



Summary of Assessment


            The provisions of the bill would make the following changes to the Workers’ Compensation Act:

 

               increase the permanent partial disability benefit from $150 per week to $175 per week; beginning on July 1, 1999, it would allow the amount of the benefit to increase or decrease annually based on the state average weekly wage;

               provide that where an injury causes a loss set out in the scheduled injuries schedule and a loss set out in the medical impairment benefit schedule, each loss would be compensated solely on the basis of the respective schedule; and

               would provide that mental or emotional stress would be compensated pursuant to Section 8-41-310 (2) C.R.S., and would not be combined with a scheduled or nonscheduled injury.


            The bill would become effective July 1, 1998, and would apply to injuries occurring on or after that date.


            This revised statement of no fiscal impact is written to correct the statutory reference above that was cited in error. The correct citation is Section 8-41-301 (2) C.R.S.


            The provisions of this bill would have a minimal impact on the workload of the Division of Workers’ Compensation, Department of Labor and Employment. The division would need to make minor changes to its general and final admission forms. These changes could be made within their existing spending authority. The provisions of this bill would not impact any other agency or the state, or unit of local government. Therefore, the bill is assessed as having no fiscal impact.



Departments Contacted


            Labor and Employment