Date: 03/17/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB09-168

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS AFFAIRS AND LABOR

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved to refer Senate Bill 09-168 to the CommitteePASS



11:52 AM -- Senate Bill 09-168

Representative Soper, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 09-168 concerning workers' compensation procedures. This bill amends procedures in the Workers' Compensation Act that relate to claims settlement, hearing and review. The changes that relate to settlement and hearing procedures address when a matter can proceed to hearing after an insurance carrier files an admission of liability for final payment of compensation. A claimant who disputes the admission and has requested an independent medical examination (IME), is not required to file a request for hearing until the IME process is terminated for any reason. Issues for which a hearing or an application for a hearing is pending when an admission is filed, are allowed to continue to the hearing without the claimant refiling an application for the hearing.

In terms of review procedures, any party dissatisfied with an order that requires payment or denies benefits, may file a petition to review the order. The bill clarifies that petitions are to be filed with the Division of Workers' Compensation if the Director of Workers' Compensation entered the order, or with the Denver Office of Administrative Courts if the order was entered by an administrative law judge.

11:54 AM -- Beth Minahan, representing Workers' Compensation Education Association, spoke in place of Neil O'Toole, testified in support of the bill. She said the bill is a procedures bill and explained each section of the bill.

11:59 AM -- Cathy Wanstrath, representing Pinnacol Assurance, spoke in place of Dan O'Neil, testified in support of the bill.

12:00 PM -- Danny Tomlinson, representing the Colorado Self-Insurers Association, testified in support of the bill.
BILL:SB09-168
TIME: 12:02:46 PM
MOVED:Soper
MOTION:Moved to refer Senate Bill 09-168 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed 9-0.
SECONDED:Gagliardi
VOTE
Balmer
Yes
Bradford
Yes
Gagliardi
Yes
Liston
Yes
Priola
Yes
Ryden
Yes
Scanlan
Excused
Soper
Yes
Stephens
Excused
Casso
Yes
Rice
Yes
Final YES: 9 NO: 0 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS