AB68: Bill Text

AB68,981,4 102.18 (3) A party in interest may petition the commission for review of an examiner's decision awarding or denying compensation if the department, the division, or the commission receives the petition within 21 days after the department or the division electronically delivered or mailed a copy of the examiner's findings and order to the last-known addresses of the parties in interest. The commission shall dismiss a petition that is not filed within those 21 days unless the petitioner shows that the petition was filed late for a reason that was beyond the petitioner's control. If no petition is filed within those 21 days, the findings or order shall be considered final unless set aside, reversed, or modified by the examiner within that time. If the findings or order are set aside by the examiner, the status shall be the same as prior to the setting aside of the findings or order. If the findings or order are reversed or modified by the examiner, the time for filing a petition commences on the date on which notice of the reversal or modification is delivered electronically or mailed to the last-known addresses of the parties in interest. The commission shall either affirm, reverse, set aside, or modify the findings or order, in whole or in part, or direct the taking of additional evidence. The commission's action shall be based on a review of the evidence submitted.

AB68,1593 Section 1593. 102.23 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,981,12 102.23 (1) (b) In such an action a complaint shall be served with an authenticated copy of the summons. The complaint need not be verified, but shall state the grounds upon which a review is sought. Service upon a commissioner or agent authorized by the commission to accept service constitutes complete service on all parties, but there shall be left with the person so served as many copies of the summons and complaint as there are defendants, and the commission shall deliver electronically or mail one copy to each other defendant.

AB68,1594 Section 1594. 102.26 (3) (b) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,981,23 102.26 (3) (b) 3. The claimant may request the insurer or self-insured employer to pay any compensation that is due the claimant by depositing the payment directly into an account maintained by the claimant at a financial institution. If the insurer or self-insured employer agrees to the request, the insurer or self-insured employer may deposit the payment by direct deposit, electronic funds transfer, or any other money transfer technique approved by the department or the division. The claimant may revoke a request under this subdivision at any time by providing appropriate written notice to the insurer or self-insured employer. If a claimant requests payment by check under this chapter, the insurer or self-insured employer shall make the payment by check.

AB68,1595 Section 1595. 102.26 (3) (d) and (e) of the statutes are created to read:

AB68,982,4 102.26 (3) (d) Except as provided in par. (e), an award to an employer made under this chapter shall be paid by electronic money transfer to the employer. Payment may be made by direct deposit, electronic funds transfer, automated clearinghouse transfer, or any other secure electronic money transfer procedure.

AB68,982,8 (e) If an employer cannot receive payments as provided in par. (d), elects to not receive payments as set forth in par. (d), or if the insurer, self-insured employer, or 3rd-party payer does not have the capacity to issue payments as set forth in par. (d), the payment shall be made by other means acceptable to the employer and payer.

AB68,1596 Section 1596. 102.28 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,982,16 102.28 (6) Reports by employer. Every employer shall upon request of the department report to it the number of employees and the nature of their work and also the name of the insurance company with whom the employer has insured liability under this chapter and the number and date of expiration of such policy. Failure to furnish such report within 10 days from the making of a request by secure electronic delivery or certified mail shall constitute presumptive evidence that the delinquent employer is violating sub. (2).

AB68,1597 Section 1597. 102.35 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,983,6 102.35 (1) Every employer and every insurance company that fails to keep the records or to make the reports required by this chapter or that knowingly falsifies such records or makes false reports shall pay a work injury supplemental benefit surcharge to the state of not less than $10 nor more than $100 for each offense. The department may waive or reduce a surcharge imposed under this subsection if the employer or insurance company that violated this subsection requests a waiver or reduction of the surcharge within 45 days after the date on which notice of the surcharge is electronically delivered or mailed to the employer or insurance company and shows that the violation was due to mistake or an absence of information. A surcharge imposed under this subsection is due within 30 days after the date on which notice of the surcharge is electronically delivered or mailed to the employer or insurance company. Interest shall accrue on amounts that are not paid when due at the rate of 1 percent per month. All surcharges and interest payments received under this subsection shall be deposited in the fund established under s. 102.65.

AB68,1598 Section 1598 . 102.43 (9) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,983,11 102.43 (9) (e) The employee's employment with the employer has been suspended or terminated due to misconduct, as defined in s. 108.04 (5), or substantial fault, as defined in s. 108.04 (5g) (a), by the employee connected with the employee's work.

AB68,1599 Section 1599 . 102.51 (1) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,983,14 102.51 (1) (a) 1. A wife married person upon a husband his or her spouse with whom he or she is living at the time of his the spouse's death.

AB68,1600 Section 1600 . 102.51 (1) (a) 2. of the statutes is repealed.

AB68,1601 Section 1601. 102.565 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,984,5 102.565 (2) Upon application of any employer or employee the department or the division may direct any employee of the employer or an employee who, in the course of his or her employment, has been exposed to toxic or hazardous substances or conditions to submit to examination by one or more physicians appointed by the department or the division to determine whether the employee has developed any abnormality or condition under sub. (1), and the degree of that abnormality or condition. The cost of the medical examination shall be borne by the person making application. The physician conducting the examination shall submit the results of the examination to the department or the division, which shall submit copies of the reports to the employer and employee, who shall have an opportunity to rebut the reports if a request to submit a rebuttal is made to the department or the division within 10 days after the department or the division electronically delivers or mails the report to the parties. The department or the division shall make its findings as to whether it is inadvisable for the employee to continue in his or her employment.

AB68,1602 Section 1602 . 102.75 (1m) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,984,11 102.75 (1m) The moneys collected under subs. (1) and (1g) and under ss. 102.28 (2) and 102.31 (7), together with all accrued interest, shall constitute a separate nonlapsible fund designated as the worker's compensation operations fund. Moneys in the fund may be expended only as provided in ss. 20.427 (1) (ra) and 20.445 (1) (ra), (rb), and (rp), and (rr) and may not be used for any other purpose of the state.

AB68,1603 Section 1603. 102.835 (12) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,984,25 102.835 (12) Notice before levy. If no proceeding for review permitted allowed by law is pending, the department shall make a demand to the debtor for payment of the debt which is subject to levy and give notice that the department may pursue legal action for collection of the debt against the debtor. The department shall make the demand for payment and give the notice at least 10 days prior to the levy, personally or, by any type of mail service which requires a signature of acceptance, at the address of the debtor as it appears on the records of the department, or by secure electronic delivery that requires a unique verifiable signature. The demand for payment and notice shall include a statement of the amount of the debt, including costs and fees, and the name of the debtor who is liable for the debt. The debtor's failure to accept or receive the notice does not prevent the department from making the levy. Notice prior to levy is not required for a subsequent levy on any debt of the same debtor within one year after the date of service of the original levy.

AB68,1604 Section 1604. 102.835 (13) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,985,4 102.835 (13) (a) The department shall serve the levy upon the debtor and 3rd party by personal service or by any type of electronic delivery or mail service which requires a signature of acceptance or unique verifiable signature.

AB68,1605 Section 1605. 102.835 (13) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,985,11 102.835 (13) (c) The department representative who serves the levy shall certify service of process on the notice of levy form and the person served shall acknowledge receipt of the certification by signing and dating it. If service is made by mail, the return receipt is the certificate of service of the levy. If service is made by electronic delivery, an electronic delivery receipt, as approved by the department, is the certificate of service of the levy.

AB68,1606 Section 1606. 102.85 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,985,16 102.85 (1) (a) An For each act occurring before the date of the first determination of a violation of this subsection, an employer who fails to comply with s. 102.16 (3) or 102.28 (2) for less than 11 days shall forfeit not less than $100 nor and not more than $1,000.

AB68,1607 Section 1607. 102.85 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,985,22 102.85 (1) (b) An For each act occurring after the date of the first or second determination of a violation of this subsection, an employer who fails to comply with s. 102.16 (3) or 102.28 (2) for more than 10 days shall forfeit not less than $10 nor and not more than $100 for each day on which the employer fails to comply with s. 102.16 (3) or 102.28 (2).

AB68,1608 Section 1608. 102.85 (1) (c) of the statutes is created to read:

AB68,986,2 102.85 (1) (c) For each act occurring after the date of the 3rd determination of a violation of this subsection, the employer shall be assessed a penalty in the amount of $3,000 for each act, or 3 times the amount of the premium that would have been payable, whichever is greater.

AB68,1609 Section 1609. 102.85 (1) (d) of the statutes is created to read:

AB68,986,7 102.85 (1) (d) For each act occurring after the date of the 4th determination of a violation of this subsection, the employer shall be assessed a penalty in the amount of $4,000 for each act, or 4 times the amount of the premium that would have been payable, whichever is greater.

AB68,1610 Section 1610. 102.85 (2) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,986,12 102.85 (2) (intro.) An For each act occurring after the date of the first determination under this subsection, an employer who is required to provide worker's compensation insurance coverage under this chapter shall forfeit not less than $100 nor and not more than $1,000 if the employer does any of the following:

AB68,1611 Section 1611. 102.85 (2j) of the statutes is created to read:

AB68,986,16 102.85 (2j) For each act occurring after the date of the 3rd determination under sub. (2), an employer who is required to provide worker's compensation insurance coverage under this chapter shall forfeit $3,000 per violation.

AB68,1612 Section 1612. 102.85 (2k) of the statutes is created to read:

AB68,986,20 102.85 (2k) For each act occurring after the date of the 4th determination under sub. (2), an employer who is required to provide worker's compensation insurance coverage under this chapter shall forfeit $4,000 per violation.

AB68,1613 Section 1613. 102.87 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,986,24 102.87 (1) (b) The citation may be served on the defendant by registered mail with a return receipt requested or by electronic delivery, which requires a unique verifiable signature of the defendant.

AB68,1614 Section 1614. 103.005 (4m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB68,987,3 103.005 (4m) (a) The department shall design and make available to employers a notice regarding worker classification laws, requirements for employers and employees, and penalties for noncompliance.

AB68,987,7 (b) All employers shall post, in one or more conspicuous places where notices to employees are customarily posted, the notice designed by the department under par. (a). Any employer who violates this paragraph shall forfeit not more than $100 for each offense.

AB68,987,11 (c) The department shall establish and maintain on the department's Internet site information regarding worker classification laws, requirements for employers and employees, penalties for noncompliance, and contact information at each state agency that administers worker classification laws.

AB68,1615 Section 1615 . 103.005 (12) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,987,23 103.005 (12) (a) If any employer, employee, owner, or other person violates chs. 103 to 106, or fails or refuses to perform any duty required under chs. 103 to 106, within the time prescribed by the department, for which no penalty has been specifically provided, or fails, neglects or refuses to obey any lawful order given or made by the department or any judgment or decree made by any court in connection with chs. 103 to 106, for each such violation, failure or refusal, the employer, employee, owner or other person shall forfeit not less than $10 nor more than $100 for each offense. This paragraph does not apply to any person that fails to provide any information to the department to assist the department in determining prevailing wage rates or prevailing hours of labor under s. 103.49 (3) (a) or (am) or 103.50 (3) or (4).

AB68,1616 Section 1616. 103.007 of the statutes is repealed.

AB68,1617 Section 1617. 103.10 (1) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is renumbered 103.10 (1) (a) and amended to read:

AB68,988,4 103.10 (1) (a) “Child" means a natural, adopted, or foster child, a stepchild, or a legal ward to whom any of the following applies: .

AB68,1618 Section 1618 . 103.10 (1) (a) 1. of the statutes is repealed.

AB68,1619 Section 1619 . 103.10 (1) (a) 2. of the statutes is repealed.

AB68,1620 Section 1620 . 103.10 (1) (a) 3. of the statutes is created to read:

AB68,988,9 103.10 (1) (a) 3. The individual is 18 years of age or older, suffers from a chronic condition, and requires family caregiving.

AB68,1621 Section 1621 . 103.10 (1) (ao) of the statutes is created to read:

AB68,988,12 103.10 (1) (ao) “Chronic condition” means a health condition, illness, impairment, or physical or mental condition that involves any of the following:

AB68,988,14 1. A condition or disease that is persistent or otherwise long-lasting in its effects.

AB68,988,15 2. A condition or disease that lasts for at least 3 months.

AB68,988,17 3. A condition or disease that requires the individual to have assistance with one or more essential daily activities.

AB68,988,19 4. Outpatient care that requires continuing treatment or supervision by a health care provider.

AB68,1622 Section 1622 . 103.10 (1) (ap) of the statutes is created to read:

AB68,988,21 103.10 (1) (ap) “Covered active duty" means any of the following:

AB68,988,23 1. In the case of a member of a regular component of the U.S. armed forces, duty during the deployment of the member with the U.S. armed forces to a foreign country.

AB68,989,2 2. In the case of a member of a reserve component of the U.S. armed forces, duty during the deployment of the member with the U.S. armed forces to a foreign country under a call or order to active duty under a provision of law specified in 10 USC 101 (a) (13) (B).

AB68,1623 Section 1623 . 103.10 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,989,7 103.10 (1) (b) Except as provided in sub. (1m) (b) 2. and s. 452.38, “employee" means an individual employed in this state by an employer, except the employer's parent, child, spouse, domestic partner, or child parent, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling.

AB68,1624 Section 1624 . 103.10 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,989,14 103.10 (1) (c) Except as provided in sub. (1m) (b) 3., “employer" means a person engaging in any activity, enterprise or business in this state employing at least 50 25 individuals on a permanent basis. “Employer" includes the state and any office, department, independent agency, authority, institution, association, society or other body in state government created or authorized to be created by the constitution or any law, including the legislature and the courts.

AB68,1625 Section 1625 . 103.10 (1) (dg) of the statutes is created to read:

AB68,989,18 103.10 (1) (dg) “Family caregiving” means providing care or assistance without remuneration to a family member who suffers from a chronic condition and includes all of the following:

AB68,989,19 1. Providing direct treatment to an individual with a chronic condition.

AB68,989,21 2. Attending training and educational courses on duties and responsibilities for caring for an individual with a chronic condition.

AB68,989,23 3. Attending discharge planning meetings for an individual with a chronic condition.

AB68,989,24 4. Attending care planning meetings for an individual with a chronic condition.

AB68,990,2 5. Attending appointments with health care providers for an individual with a chronic condition.

AB68,1626 Section 1626 . 103.10 (1) (dr) of the statutes is created to read:

AB68,990,4 103.10 (1) (dr) “Grandchild" means the child of a child.

AB68,1627 Section 1627 . 103.10 (1) (dt) of the statutes is created to read:

AB68,990,6 103.10 (1) (dt) “Grandparent" means the parent of a parent.

AB68,1628 Section 1628 . 103.10 (1) (em) of the statutes is created to read:

AB68,990,8 103.10 (1) (em) “Medical isolation” means any of the following:

AB68,990,12 1. When a health care professional, a local health officer, or the department of health services advises that the individual seclude herself or himself from others when the individual is awaiting the result of a diagnostic test for a communicable disease or when the individual is infected with a communicable disease.

AB68,990,14 2. When a local health officer or the department of health services advises that an individual isolate or quarantine under s. 252.06.

AB68,990,17 3. When an individual's employer advises that the individual not come to the workplace due to a concern that the individual may have been exposed to or infected with a communicable disease.

AB68,1629 Section 1629 . 103.10 (1) (gm) of the statutes is created to read:

AB68,990,20 103.10 (1) (gm) “Sibling" means a brother, sister, half brother, half sister, stepbrother, or stepsister, whether by blood, marriage, or adoption.

AB68,1630 Section 1630 . 103.10 (1) (h) of the statutes is amended to read: