SB70: Bill Text

SB70,1047,3 102.125 (2) Assistance by department of justice. The department of workforce development may request the department of justice to assist the department of workforce development in an investigation under sub. (1) or (1m) or in the investigation of any other suspected fraudulent activity on the part of an employer, employee, insurer, health care provider, or other person related to worker's compensation.

SB70,1754 Section 1754 . 102.125 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1047,10 102.125 (3) Prosecution. If based on an investigation under sub. (1), (1m), or (2) the department has a reasonable basis to believe that a violation of s. 943.20, 943.38, 943.39, 943.392, 943.395, 943.40, or any other criminal law has occurred, the department shall refer the results of the investigation to the department of justice or to the district attorney of the county in which the alleged violation occurred for prosecution.

SB70,1755 Section 1755 . 102.13 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1047,23 102.13 (1) (a) Except as provided in sub. (4), whenever compensation is claimed by an employee, the employee shall, upon the written request of the employee's employer or worker's compensation insurer, submit to reasonable examinations by physicians, chiropractors, psychologists, dentists, physician assistants, advanced practice nurse prescribers registered nurses, or podiatrists provided and paid for by the employer or insurer. No employee who submits to an examination under this paragraph is a patient of the examining physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or podiatrist for any purpose other than for the purpose of bringing an action under ch. 655, unless the employee specifically requests treatment from that physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or podiatrist.

SB70,1756 Section 1756 . 102.13 (1) (b) (intro.), 1., 3. and 4. of the statutes are amended to read:

SB70,1048,15 102.13 (1) (b) (intro.) An employer or insurer who requests that an employee submit to reasonable examination under par. (a) or (am) shall tender to the employee, before the examination, all necessary expenses including transportation expenses. The employee is entitled to have a physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or podiatrist provided by himself or herself present at the examination and to receive a copy of all reports of the examination that are prepared by the examining physician, chiropractor, psychologist, podiatrist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or vocational expert immediately upon receipt of those reports by the employer or worker's compensation insurer. The employee is entitled to have one observer provided by himself or herself present at the examination. The employee is also entitled to have a translator provided by himself or herself present at the examination if the employee has difficulty speaking or understanding the English language. The employer's or insurer's written request for examination shall notify the employee of all of the following:

SB70,1048,19 1. The proposed date, time, and place of the examination and the identity and area of specialization of the examining physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, podiatrist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or vocational expert.

SB70,1048,22 3. The employee's right to have his or her physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or podiatrist present at the examination.

SB70,1049,2 4. The employee's right to receive a copy of all reports of the examination that are prepared by the examining physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, podiatrist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or vocational expert immediately upon receipt of these reports by the employer or worker's compensation insurer.

SB70,1757 Section 1757 . 102.13 (1) (d) 1., 2., 3. and 4. of the statutes are amended to read:

SB70,1049,7 102.13 (1) (d) 1. Any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, podiatrist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or vocational expert who is present at any examination under par. (a) or (am) may be required to testify as to the results of the examination.

SB70,1049,12 2. Any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or podiatrist who attended a worker's compensation claimant for any condition or complaint reasonably related to the condition for which the claimant claims compensation may be required to testify before the division when the division so directs.

SB70,1049,19 3. Notwithstanding any statutory provisions except par. (e), any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or podiatrist attending a worker's compensation claimant for any condition or complaint reasonably related to the condition for which the claimant claims compensation may furnish to the employee, employer, worker's compensation insurer, department, or division information and reports relative to a compensation claim.

SB70,1049,24 4. The testimony of any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or podiatrist who is licensed to practice where he or she resides or practices in any state and the testimony of any vocational expert may be received in evidence in compensation proceedings.

SB70,1758 Section 1758 . 102.13 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1050,17 102.13 (2) (a) An employee who reports an injury alleged to be work-related or files an application for hearing waives any physician-patient, psychologist-patient, or chiropractor-patient privilege with respect to any condition or complaint reasonably related to the condition for which the employee claims compensation. Notwithstanding ss. 51.30 and 146.82 and any other law, any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, podiatrist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, hospital, or health care provider shall, within a reasonable time after written request by the employee, employer, worker's compensation insurer, department, or division, or its representative, provide that person with any information or written material reasonably related to any injury for which the employee claims compensation. If the request is by a representative of a worker's compensation insurer for a billing statement, the physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, podiatrist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, hospital, or health care provider shall, within 30 days after receiving the request, provide that person with a complete copy of an itemized billing statement or a billing statement in a standard billing format recognized by the federal government.

SB70,1759 Section 1759 . 102.13 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1051,4 102.13 (2) (b) A physician, chiropractor, podiatrist, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, hospital, or health service provider shall furnish a legible, certified duplicate of the written material requested under par. (a) in paper format upon payment of the actual costs of preparing the certified duplicate, not to exceed the greater of 45 cents per page or $7.50 per request, plus the actual costs of postage, or shall furnish a legible, certified duplicate of that material in electronic format upon payment of $26 per request. Any person who refuses to provide certified duplicates of written material in the person's custody that is requested under par. (a) shall be liable for reasonable and necessary costs and, notwithstanding s. 814.04 (1), reasonable attorney fees incurred in enforcing the requester's right to the duplicates under par. (a).

SB70,1760 Section 1760. 102.16 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1051,13 102.16 (4) The department and the division have jurisdiction to pass on any question arising out of sub. (3) and to order the employer to reimburse an employee or other person for any sum deducted from wages or paid by him or her in violation of that subsection. In addition to the any penalty provided in s. 102.85 (1), any employer violating sub. (3) shall be liable to an injured employee for the reasonable value of the necessary services rendered to that employee under any arrangement made in violation of sub. (3) without regard to that employee's actual disbursements for those services.

SB70,1761 Section 1761 . 102.17 (1) (d) 1. and 2. of the statutes are amended to read:

SB70,1052,10 102.17 (1) (d) 1. The contents of certified medical and surgical reports by physicians, podiatrists, surgeons, dentists, psychologists, physician assistants, advanced practice nurse prescribers registered nurses, and chiropractors licensed in and practicing in this state, and of certified reports by experts concerning loss of earning capacity under s. 102.44 (2) and (3), presented by a party for compensation constitute prima facie evidence as to the matter contained in those reports, subject to any rules and limitations the division prescribes. Certified reports of physicians, podiatrists, surgeons, dentists, psychologists, physician assistants, advanced practice nurse prescribers registered nurses, and chiropractors, wherever licensed and practicing, who have examined or treated the claimant, and of experts, if the practitioner or expert consents to being subjected to cross-examination, also constitute prima facie evidence as to the matter contained in those reports. Certified reports of physicians, podiatrists, surgeons, psychologists, and chiropractors are admissible as evidence of the diagnosis, necessity of the treatment, and cause and extent of the disability. Certified reports by doctors of dentistry, physician assistants, and advanced practice nurse prescribers registered nurses are admissible as evidence of the diagnosis and necessity of treatment but not of the cause and extent of disability. Any physician, podiatrist, surgeon, dentist, psychologist, chiropractor, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or expert who knowingly makes a false statement of fact or opinion in a certified report may be fined or imprisoned, or both, under s. 943.395.

SB70,1052,18 2. The record of a hospital or sanatorium in this state that is satisfactory to the division, established by certificate, affidavit, or testimony of the supervising officer of the hospital or sanatorium, any other person having charge of the record, or a physician, podiatrist, surgeon, dentist, psychologist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or chiropractor to be the record of the patient in question, and made in the regular course of examination or treatment of the patient, constitutes prima facie evidence as to the matter contained in the record, to the extent that the record is otherwise competent and relevant.

SB70,1762 Section 1762. 102.17 (9) (a) 1. of the statutes is renumbered 102.17 (9) (a) 1m. and amended to read:

SB70,1052,24 102.17 (9) (a) 1m. “Fire fighter" means any person employed on a full-time basis by the state or any political subdivision as a member or officer of a fire department, including the 1st class cities and state fire marshal and deputies or an individual who volunteers as a member or officer of such a department.

SB70,1763 Section 1763. 102.17 (9) (a) 1c. of the statutes is created to read:

SB70,1053,2 102.17 (9) (a) 1c. “Correctional officer” has the meaning given in s. 102.475 (8) (a).

SB70,1764 Section 1764 . 102.17 (9) (a) 1e. of the statutes is created to read:

SB70,1053,5 102.17 (9) (a) 1e. “Emergency medical responder” has the meaning given in s. 256.01 (4p).

SB70,1765 Section 1765 . 102.17 (9) (a) 1g. of the statutes is created to read:

SB70,1053,8 102.17 (9) (a) 1g. “Emergency medical services practitioner” has the meaning given in s. 256.01 (5).

SB70,1766 Section 1766. 102.17 (9) (a) 1p. of the statutes is created to read:

SB70,1053,15 102.17 (9) (a) 1p. “Medicolegal investigation staff member" includes a chief deputy coroner, a deputy coroner, a deputy medical examiner, and any individual who assists the office of a coroner or medical examiner with an investigation of a death. “Medicolegal investigation staff member" does not include an individual performing solely administrative functions in the office of a coroner or medical examiner.

SB70,1767 Section 1767 . 102.17 (9) (b) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1053,24 102.17 (9) (b) (intro.) Subject to par. (c), in the case of a mental injury that is not accompanied by a physical injury and that results in a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder in a law enforcement officer, as defined in s. 23.33 (1) (ig), an emergency medical responder, an emergency services practitioner, a correctional officer, a public safety answering point dispatcher, a coroner, a medical examiner, a medicolegal investigation staff member, or a fire fighter, the claim for compensation for the mental injury, in order to be compensable under this chapter, is subject to all of the following:

SB70,1768 Section 1768 . 102.29 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1054,5 102.29 (3) Nothing in this chapter shall prevent an employee from taking the compensation that the employee may be entitled to under this chapter and also maintaining a civil action against any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or podiatrist for malpractice.

SB70,1769 Section 1769 . 102.42 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1054,19 102.42 (2) (a) When the employer has notice of an injury and its relationship to the employment, the employer shall offer to the injured employee his or her choice of any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or podiatrist licensed to practice and practicing in this state for treatment of the injury. By mutual agreement, the employee may have the choice of any qualified practitioner not licensed in this state. In case of emergency, the employer may arrange for treatment without tendering a choice. After the emergency has passed the employee shall be given his or her choice of attending practitioner at the earliest opportunity. The employee has the right to a 2nd choice of attending practitioner on notice to the employer or its insurance carrier. Any further choice shall be by mutual agreement. Partners and clinics are considered to be one practitioner. Treatment by a practitioner on referral from another practitioner is considered to be treatment by one practitioner.

SB70,1770 Section 1770 . 102.51 (1) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1054,22 102.51 (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.

SB70,1771 Section 1771 . 102.51 (1) (a) 2. of the statutes is repealed.

SB70,1772 Section 1772. 102.75 (1m) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1055,5 102.75 (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.

SB70,1773 Section 1773. 102.82 (2) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1055,10 102.82 (2) (a) (intro.) Except as provided in pars. (ag), (am), and (ar), all for a 1st or 2nd determination by the department that an employer was uninsured, an uninsured employers employer shall pay to the department the greater of the following:

SB70,1774 Section 1774. 102.82 (2) (ab) of the statutes is created to read:

SB70,1055,14 102.82 (2) (ab) Except as provided in pars. (ag), (am), and (ar), for a 3rd determination by the department that an employer was uninsured, an uninsured employer shall pay to the department the greater of the following:

SB70,1055,18 1. Three times the amount determined by the department to equal what the uninsured employer would have paid during periods of illegal nonpayment for worker's compensation in the preceding 3-year period, based on the employer's payroll in the preceding 3 years.

SB70,1055,19 2. Three thousand dollars.

SB70,1775 Section 1775. 102.82 (2) (ad) of the statutes is created to read:

SB70,1055,23 102.82 (2) (ad) Except as provided in pars. (ag), (am), and (ar), for a 4th or subsequent determination by the department that an employer was uninsured, an uninsured employer shall pay to the department the greater of the following:

SB70,1056,2 1. Four times the amount determined by the department to equal what the uninsured employer would have paid during periods of illegal nonpayment for worker's compensation in the preceding 3-year period, based on the employer's payroll in the preceding 3 years.

SB70,1056,3 2. Four thousand dollars.

SB70,1776 Section 1776. 102.82 (2) (am) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1056,8 102.82 (2) (am) The department may waive any payment owed under par. (a), (ab), or (ad) by an uninsured employer if the department determines that the uninsured employer is subject to this chapter only because the uninsured employer has elected to become subject to this chapter under s. 102.05 (2) or 102.28 (2).

SB70,1777 Section 1777. 102.82 (2) (ar) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1056,15 102.82 (2) (ar) The department may waive any payment owed under par. (a), (ab), (ad), or (ag) or sub. (1) if the department determines that the sole reason for the uninsured employer's failure to comply with s. 102.28 (2) is that the uninsured employer was a victim of fraud, misrepresentation or gross negligence by an insurance agent or insurance broker or by a person whom a reasonable person would believe is an insurance agent or insurance broker.

SB70,1778 Section 1778. 102.85 (1) of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:

SB70,1056,20 102.85 (1) (a) If an employer has failed to comply with s. 102.16 (3) or 102.28 (2), the employer shall, for a first violation, forfeit the greater of $1,000 or the amount of the premium that would have been payable for each time the employer failed to comply with s. 102.16 (3) or 102.28 (3).

SB70,1056,24 (b) If an employer has failed to comply with s. 102.16 (3) or 102.28 (2), the employer shall, for a 2nd violation, forfeit the greater of $2,000 or 2 times the amount of the premium that would have been payable for each time the employer failed to comply with s. 102.16 (3) or 102.28 (3).

SB70,1057,4 (c) If an employer has failed to comply with s. 102.16 (3) or 102.28 (2), the employer shall, for a 3rd violation, forfeit the greater of $3,000 or 3 times the amount of the premium that would have been payable for each time the employer failed to comply with s. 102.16 (3) or 102.28 (3).

SB70,1057,8 (d) If an employer has failed to comply with s. 102.16 (3) or 102.28 (2), the employer shall, for a 4th or subsequent violation, forfeit the greater of $4,000 or 4 times the amount of the premium that would have been payable for each time the employer failed to comply with s. 102.16 (3) or 102.28 (3).

SB70,1779 Section 1779. 102.85 (2) of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:

SB70,1057,14 102.85 (2) (a) No employer who is required to provide worker's compensation insurance coverage under this chapter may give false information about the coverage to his or her employees, the department, or any other person who contracts with the employer and who requests evidence of worker's compensation in relation to that contract.

SB70,1057,17 (b) No employer who is required to provide worker's compensation insurance coverage under this chapter may fail to notify a person who contracts with the employer that the coverage has been canceled in relation to that contract.

SB70,1057,19 (c) 1. An employer who violates par. (a) or (b) shall, except as provided in subds. 2. and 3., forfeit not less than $100 and not more than $1,000.

SB70,1057,21 2. An employer who violates par. (a) or (b) shall forfeit $3,000 for a 3rd violation of par. (a) or (b).

SB70,1057,23 3. An employer who violates par. (a) or (b) shall forfeit $4,000 for a 4th violation of par. (a) or (b).

SB70,1780 Section 1780 . 103.005 (12) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1058,11 103.005 (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).

SB70,1781 Section 1781. 103.007 of the statutes is repealed.

SB70,1782 Section 1782 . 103.06 (1) (b) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1058,16 103.06 (1) (b) (intro.) “Employee" means , for purposes of compliance with the requirements specified in sub. (3) (a), any of the following who is employed by an employer:

SB70,1783 Section 1783 . 103.06 (1) (c) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1058,20 103.06 (1) (c) (intro.) “Employer" means , for purposes of compliance with the requirements specified in sub. (3) (a), any of the following that is engaged in the work described in s. 108.18 (2) (c):

SB70,1784 Section 1784. 103.06 (2) of the statutes is renumbered 103.06 (10), and 103.06 (10) (intro.) and (a), as renumbered, are amended to read:

SB70,1059,2 103.06 (10) Worker classification compliance; duties of department. (intro.) For purposes of promoting and achieving compliance by employers with the laws specified in sub. (3) (a) through the proper classification of persons performing services for an employer as employees and nonemployees, the The department shall do all of the following:

SB70,1059,8 (a) Educate employers, employees, nonemployees, and the public about the proper classification of persons performing services for an employer as employees and nonemployees. The department shall establish and maintain on the department's website 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.

SB70,1785 Section 1785 . 103.06 (10) (f) of the statutes is created to read:

SB70,1059,13 103.06 (10) (f) Design and make available to employers a notice regarding worker classification laws, requirements for employers and employees, and penalties for noncompliance. The department shall promulgate rules to implement this paragraph.

SB70,1786 Section 1786 . 103.06 (11) of the statutes is created to read:

SB70,1059,18 103.06 (11) Notice. All employers shall post, in one or more conspicuous places where notices to employees are customarily posted, the notice designed by the department under sub. (10) (f). Any employer who violates this subsection shall forfeit not more than $100 for each offense.

SB70,1787 Section 1787. 103.10 (1) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is renumbered 103.10 (1) (a) and amended to read:

SB70,1059,22 103.10 (1) (a) “Child" means a natural, adopted, or foster child, a stepchild, or a legal ward to whom any of the following applies: .

SB70,1788 Section 1788. 103.10 (1) (a) 1. of the statutes is repealed.

SB70,1789 Section 1789. 103.10 (1) (a) 2. of the statutes is repealed.

SB70,1790 Section 1790. 103.10 (1) (ap) of the statutes is created to read: