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AB56,1175 17Section 1175. 102.22 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,715,2518 102.22 (2) If any sum that the department or the division orders to be paid is
19not paid when due, that sum shall bear interest at the rate of 10 percent per year.
20The state is liable for interest on awards issued against it under this chapter. The
21department or the division has jurisdiction to issue an award for payment of interest
22under this subsection at any time within one year after the date of its order or, if the
23order is appealed, within one year after final court determination. Interest awarded
24under this subsection becomes due from the date the examiner's order becomes final
25or from the date of a decision by the commission, whichever is later.
AB56,1176
1Section 1176. 102.23 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,716,52 102.23 (2) Upon the trial of an action for review of an order or award, the court
3shall disregard any irregularity or error of the commission, or the the department,
4or the division unless it is made to affirmatively appear that the plaintiff was
5damaged by that irregularity or error.
AB56,1177 6Section 1177. 102.23 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,716,97 102.23 (3) The record in any case shall be transmitted to the department or the
8division
within 5 days after expiration of the time for appeal from the order or
9judgment of the court, unless an appeal is taken from that order or judgment.
AB56,1178 10Section 1178. 102.23 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,716,1511 102.23 (5) When an action for review involves only the question of liability as
12between the employer and one or more insurance companies or as between several
13insurance companies, a party that has been ordered by the department, the division,
14the commission, or a court to pay compensation is not relieved from paying
15compensation as ordered.
AB56,1179 16Section 1179. 102.24 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,716,2517 102.24 (2) After the commencement of an action to review any order or award
18of the commission, the parties may have the record remanded by the court for such
19time and under such condition as the parties may provide, for the purpose of having
20the department or the division act upon the question of approving or disapproving
21any settlement or compromise that the parties may desire to have so approved. If
22approved, the action shall be at an end and judgment may be entered upon the
23approval as upon an award. If not approved, the department or the division shall
24immediately return the record to the circuit court and the action shall proceed as if
25no remand had been made.
AB56,1180
1Section 1180. 102.25 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,717,132 102.25 (1) Any party aggrieved by a judgment entered upon the review of any
3order or award may appeal the judgment within the period specified in s. 808.04 (1).
4A trial court may not require the commission or any party to the action to execute,
5serve, or file an undertaking under s. 808.07 or to serve, or secure approval of, a
6transcript of the notes of the stenographic reporter or the tape of the recording
7machine. The state is a party aggrieved under this subsection if a judgment is
8entered upon the review confirming any order or award against the state. At any
9time before the case is set down for hearing in the court of appeals or the supreme
10court, the parties may have the record remanded by the court to the department or
11the division
in the same manner and for the same purposes as provided for
12remanding from the circuit court to the department or the division under s. 102.24
13(2).
AB56,1181 14Section 1181. 102.26 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,718,215 102.26 (2) Unless previously authorized by the department or the division, no
16fee may be charged or received for the enforcement or collection of any claim for
17compensation nor may any contract for that enforcement or collection be enforceable
18when that fee, inclusive of all taxable attorney fees paid or agreed to be paid for that
19enforcement or collection, exceeds 20 percent of the amount at which the claim is
20compromised or of the amount awarded, adjudged, or collected, except that in cases
21of admitted liability in which there is no dispute as to the amount of compensation
22due and in which no hearing or appeal is necessary, the fee charged may not exceed
2310 percent, but not to exceed $250, of the amount at which the claim is compromised
24or of the amount awarded, adjudged, or collected. The limitation as to fees shall
25apply to the combined charges of attorneys, solicitors, representatives, and adjusters

1who knowingly combine their efforts toward the enforcement or collection of any
2compensation claim.
AB56,1182 3Section 1182. 102.26 (3) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,718,74 102.26 (3) (b) 1. Subject to sub. (2), upon application of any interested party,
5the department or the division may fix the fee of the claimant's attorney or
6representative and provide in the award for that fee to be paid directly to the attorney
7or representative.
AB56,1183 8Section 1183. 102.26 (3) (b) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,718,169 102.26 (3) (b) 3. The claimant may request the insurer or self-insured employer
10to pay any compensation that is due the claimant by depositing the payment directly
11into an account maintained by the claimant at a financial institution. If the insurer
12or self-insured employer agrees to the request, the insurer or self-insured employer
13may deposit the payment by direct deposit, electronic funds transfer, or any other
14money transfer technique approved by the department or the division. The claimant
15may revoke a request under this subdivision at any time by providing appropriate
16written notice to the insurer or self-insured employer.
AB56,1184 17Section 1184. 102.26 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,718,2218 102.26 (4) Any attorney or other person who charges or receives any fee in
19violation of this section may be required to forfeit double the amount retained by the
20attorney or other person, which forfeiture shall be collected by the state in an action
21in debt upon complaint of the department or the division. Out of the sum recovered
22the court shall direct payment to the injured party of the amount of the overcharge.
AB56,1185 23Section 1185. 102.27 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,719,824 102.27 (2) (b) If a governmental unit provides public assistance under ch. 49
25to pay medical costs or living expenses related to a claim under this chapter and if

1the governmental unit has given the parties to the claim written notice stating that
2the governmental unit provided the assistance and the cost of that assistance, the
3department or the division shall order the employer or insurance carrier owing
4compensation to reimburse that governmental unit for the amount of assistance the
5governmental unit provided or two-thirds of the amount of the award or payment
6remaining after deduction of attorney fees and any other fees or costs chargeable
7under ch. 102, whichever is less. The department shall comply with this paragraph
8when making payments under s. 102.81.
AB56,1186 9Section 1186. 102.28 (3) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,719,2510 102.28 (3) (c) An employee who has signed a waiver under par. (a) 1. and an
11affidavit under par. (a) 2., who sustains an injury that, but for that waiver, the
12employer would be liable for under s. 102.03, who at the time of the injury was a
13member of a religious sect whose authorized representative has filed an affidavit
14under par. (a) 3. and an agreement under par. (a) 4., and who as a result of the injury
15becomes dependent on the religious sect for financial and medical assistance, or the
16employee's dependent, may request a hearing under s. 102.17 (1) to determine if the
17religious sect has provided the employee and his or her dependents with a standard
18of living and medical treatment that are reasonable when compared to the general
19standard of living and medical treatment for members of the religious sect. If, after
20hearing, the division department determines that the religious sect has not provided
21that standard of living or medical treatment, or both, the division department may
22order the religious sect to provide alternative benefits to that employee or his or her
23dependent, or both, in an amount that is reasonable under the circumstances, but
24not in excess of the benefits that the employee or dependent could have received
25under this chapter but for the waiver under par. (a) 1.
AB56,1187
1Section 1187. 102.28 (4) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,720,52 102.28 (4) (c) After a hearing under par. (b), or without a hearing if one is not
3requested, the division department may issue an order to an employer to cease
4operations on a finding that the employer is an uninsured employer. If no hearing
5is requested, the department may issue such an order.
AB56,1188 6Section 1188. 102.29 (1) (b) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,720,177 102.29 (1) (b) (intro.) If a party entitled to notice cannot be found, the
8department shall become the agent of that party for the giving of a notice as required
9in par. (a) and the notice, when given to the department, shall include an affidavit
10setting forth the facts, including the steps taken to locate that party. Each party shall
11have an equal voice in the prosecution of the claim, and any disputes arising shall
12be passed upon by the court before whom the case is pending, and if no action is
13pending, then by a court of record or by the department or the division. If notice is
14given as provided in par. (a), the liability of the tort-feasor shall be determined as
15to all parties having a right to make claim and, irrespective of whether or not all
16parties join in prosecuting the claim, the proceeds of the claim shall be divided as
17follows:
AB56,1189 18Section 1189. 102.29 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,720,2419 102.29 (1) (c) If both the employee or the employee's personal representative
20or other person entitled to bring action, and the employer, compensation insurer, or
21department, join in the pressing of said claim and are represented by counsel, the
22attorney fees allowed as a part of the costs of collection shall be, unless otherwise
23agreed upon, divided between the attorneys for those parties as directed by the court
24or by the department or the division.
AB56,1190 25Section 1190. 102.29 (1) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,721,4
1102.29 (1) (d) A settlement of a 3rd-party claim shall be void unless the
2settlement and the distribution of the proceeds of the settlement are approved by the
3court before whom the action is pending or, if no action is pending, then by a court
4of record or by the department or the division.
AB56,1191 5Section 1191. 102.30 (7) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,721,116 102.30 (7) (a) The department or the division may order direct reimbursement
7out of the proceeds payable under this chapter for payments made under a
8nonindustrial insurance policy covering the same disability and expenses
9compensable under s. 102.42 when the claimant consents or when it is established
10that the payments under the nonindustrial insurance policy were improper. No
11attorney fee is due with respect to that reimbursement.
AB56,1192 12Section 1192. 102.32 (1m) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,721,1713 102.32 (1m) (intro.) In any case in which compensation payments for an injury
14have extended or will extend over 6 months or more after the date of the injury or in
15any case in which death benefits are payable, any party in interest may, in the
16discretion of the department or the division, be discharged from, or compelled to
17guarantee, future compensation payments by doing any of the following:
AB56,1193 18Section 1193. 102.32 (1m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,721,2219 102.32 (1m) (a) Depositing the present value of the total unpaid compensation
20upon a 5 percent interest discount basis with a credit union, savings bank, savings
21and loan association, bank, or trust company designated by the department or the
22division
.
AB56,1194 23Section 1194. 102.32 (1m) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,721,2524 102.32 (1m) (c) Making payment in gross upon a 5 percent interest discount
25basis to be approved by the department or the division.
AB56,1195
1Section 1195. 102.32 (1m) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,722,152 102.32 (1m) (d) In cases in which the time for making payments or the amounts
3of payments cannot be definitely determined, furnishing a bond, or other security,
4satisfactory to the department or the division for the payment of compensation as
5may be due or become due. The acceptance of the bond, or other security, and the form
6and sufficiency of the bond or other security, shall be subject to the approval of the
7department or the division. If the employer or insurer is unable or fails to
8immediately procure the bond, the employer or insurer, in lieu of procuring the bond,
9shall deposit with a credit union, savings bank, savings and loan association, bank,
10or trust company designated by the department or the division the maximum
11amount that may reasonably become payable in those cases, to be determined by the
12department or the division at amounts consistent with the extent of the injuries and
13the law. The bonds and deposits may be reduced only to satisfy claims and may be
14withdrawn only after the claims which they are to guarantee are fully satisfied or
15liquidated under par. (a), (b), or (c).
AB56,1196 16Section 1196. 102.32 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,722,2317 102.32 (5) Any insured employer may, in the discretion of the department or
18the division
, compel the insurer to discharge, or to guarantee payment of, the
19employer's liabilities in any case described in sub. (1m) and by that discharge or
20guarantee release the employer from liability for compensation in that case, except
21that if for any reason a bond furnished or deposit made under sub. (1m) (d) does not
22fully protect the beneficiary of the bond or deposit, the compensation insurer or
23insured employer, as the case may be, shall still be liable to that beneficiary.
AB56,1197 24Section 1197. 102.32 (6m) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,723,8
1102.32 (6m) The department or the division may direct an advance on a
2payment of unaccrued compensation for permanent disability or death benefits if the
3department or the division determines that the advance payment is in the best
4interest of the injured employee or the employee's dependents. In directing the
5advance, the department or the division shall give the employer or the employer's
6insurer an interest credit against its liability. The credit shall be computed at 5
7percent. An injured employee or dependent may receive no more than 3 advance
8payments per calendar year.
AB56,1198 9Section 1198. 102.32 (7) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,723,1310 102.32 (7) No lump sum settlement shall be allowed in any case of permanent
11total disability upon an estimated life expectancy, except upon consent of all parties,
12after hearing and finding by the division department that the interests of the injured
13employee will be conserved by the lump sum settlement.
AB56,1199 14Section 1199. 102.33 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,723,1915 102.33 (1) The department and the division shall print and furnish free to any
16employer or employee any blank forms that are necessary to facilitate efficient
17administration of this chapter. The department and the division shall keep any
18record books or records that are necessary for the proper and efficient administration
19of this chapter.
AB56,1200 20Section 1200. 102.33 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,723,2321 102.33 (2) (a) Except as provided in pars. (b) and (c), the records of the
22department, the division, and the commission , related to the administration of this
23chapter are subject to inspection and copying under s. 19.35 (1).
AB56,1201 24Section 1201. 102.33 (2) (b) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,724,13
1102.33 (2) (b) (intro.) Except as provided in this paragraph and par. (d), a record
2maintained by the department, the division, or the commission that reveals the
3identity of an employee who claims worker's compensation benefits, the nature of the
4employee's claimed injury, the employee's past or present medical condition, the
5extent of the employee's disability, or the amount, type, or duration of benefits paid
6to the employee and a record maintained by the department that reveals any
7financial information provided to the department by a self-insured employer or by
8an applicant for exemption under s. 102.28 (2) (b) are confidential and not open to
9public inspection or copying under s. 19.35 (1). The department , the division, or the
10commission may deny a request made under s. 19.35 (1) or, subject to s. 102.17 (2m)
11and (2s), refuse to honor a subpoena issued by an attorney of record in a civil or
12criminal action or special proceeding to inspect and copy a record that is confidential
13under this paragraph, unless one of the following applies:
AB56,1202 14Section 1202. 102.33 (2) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,724,1915 102.33 (2) (b) 1. The requester is the employee who is the subject of the record
16or an attorney or authorized agent of that employee. An attorney or authorized agent
17of an employee who is the subject of a record shall provide a written authorization
18for inspection and copying from the employee if requested by the department, the
19division,
or the commission.
AB56,1203 20Section 1203. 102.33 (2) (b) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,725,721 102.33 (2) (b) 2. The record that is requested contains confidential information
22concerning a worker's compensation claim and the requester is an insurance carrier
23or employer that is a party to any worker's compensation claim involving the same
24employee or an attorney or authorized agent of that insurance carrier or employer,
25except that the department, the division, or the commission is not required to do a

1random search of its records and may require the requester to provide the
2approximate date of the injury and any other relevant information that would assist
3the department, the division, or the commission in finding the record requested. An
4attorney or authorized agent of an insurance carrier or employer that is a party to
5an employee's worker's compensation claim shall provide a written authorization for
6inspection and copying from the insurance carrier or employer if requested by the
7department, the division, or the commission.
AB56,1204 8Section 1204. 102.33 (2) (b) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,725,109 102.33 (2) (b) 4. A court of competent jurisdiction in this state orders the
10department, the division, or the commission to release the record.
AB56,1205 11Section 1205. 102.33 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,725,1712 102.33 (2) (c) A record maintained by the department , the division, or the
13commission that contains employer or insurer information obtained from the
14Wisconsin compensation rating bureau under s. 102.31 (8) or 626.32 (1) (a) is
15confidential and not open to public inspection or copying under s. 19.35 (1) unless the
16Wisconsin compensation rating bureau authorizes public inspection or copying of
17that information.
AB56,1206 18Section 1206. 102.33 (2) (d) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,726,919 102.33 (2) (d) 2. The department, the division, or the commission may release
20information that is confidential under par. (b) to a government unit, an institution
21of higher education, or a nonprofit research organization for purposes of research and
22may release information that is confidential under par. (c) to those persons for that
23purpose if the Wisconsin compensation rating bureau authorizes that release. A
24government unit, institution of higher education, or nonprofit research organization
25may not permit inspection or disclosure of any information released to it under this

1subdivision that is confidential under par. (b) unless the department, the division,
2or the commission authorizes that inspection or disclosure and may not permit
3inspection or disclosure of any information released to it under this subdivision that
4is confidential under par. (c) unless the department, the division, or the commission,
5and the Wisconsin compensation rating bureau, authorize the inspection or
6disclosure. A government unit, institution of higher education, or nonprofit research
7organization that obtains any confidential information under this subdivision for
8purposes of research shall provide the results of that research free of charge to the
9person that released or authorized the release of that information.
AB56,1207 10Section 1207. 102.35 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,726,1911 102.35 (3) Any employer who without reasonable cause refuses to rehire an
12employee who is injured in the course of employment, when suitable employment is
13available within the employee's physical and mental limitations, upon order of the
14department or the division, has exclusive liability to pay to the employee, in addition
15to other benefits, the wages lost during the period of such refusal, not exceeding one
16year's wages. In determining the availability of suitable employment the
17continuance in business of the employer shall be considered and any written rules
18promulgated by the employer with respect to seniority or the provisions of any
19collective bargaining agreement with respect to seniority shall govern.
AB56,1208 20Section 1208. 102.42 (1m) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,727,521 102.42 (1m) Liability for unnecessary treatment. If an employee who has
22sustained a compensable injury undertakes in good faith invasive treatment that is
23generally medically acceptable, but that is unnecessary, the employer shall pay
24disability indemnity for all disability incurred as a result of that treatment. An
25employer is not liable for disability indemnity for any disability incurred as a result

1of any unnecessary treatment undertaken in good faith that is noninvasive or not
2medically acceptable. This subsection applies to all findings that an employee has
3sustained a compensable injury, whether the finding results from a hearing, the
4default of a party, or a compromise or stipulation confirmed by the department or the
5division
.
AB56,1209 6Section 1209. 102.42 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,727,187 102.42 (6) Treatment rejected by employee. Unless the employee has elected
8Christian Science treatment in lieu of medical, surgical, dental, or hospital
9treatment, no compensation shall be payable for the death or disability of an
10employee, if the death is caused, or insofar as the disability may be aggravated,
11caused, or continued by an unreasonable refusal or neglect to submit to or follow any
12competent and reasonable medical, surgical, or dental treatment or, in the case of
13tuberculosis, by refusal or neglect to submit to or follow hospital or medical
14treatment when found by the department or the division to be necessary. The right
15to compensation accruing during a period of refusal or neglect to submit to or follow
16hospital or medical treatment when found by the department or the division to be
17necessary in the case of tuberculosis shall be barred, irrespective of whether
18disability was aggravated, caused, or continued by that refusal or neglect.
AB56,1210 19Section 1210. 102.42 (8) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,728,220 102.42 (8) Award to state employee. Whenever the department or the division
21makes an award on behalf of a state employee, the department or the division shall
22file duplicate copies of the award with the subunit of the department of
23administration responsible for risk management. Upon receipt of the copies of the
24award, the department of administration shall promptly issue a voucher in payment
25of the award from the proper appropriation under s. 20.865 (1) (fm), (kr) or (ur), and

1shall transmit one copy of the voucher and the award to the officer, department, or
2agency by whom the affected employee is employed.
AB56,1211 3Section 1211. 102.425 (4m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,728,94 102.425 (4m) (a) The department has jurisdiction under this subsection, the
5department and the division have jurisdiction under s.
and ss. 102.16 (1m) (c), and
6the division has jurisdiction under s. 102.17 to resolve a dispute between a
7pharmacist or practitioner and an employer or insurer over the reasonableness of the
8amount charged for a prescription drug dispensed under sub. (2) for outpatient use
9by an injured employee who claims benefits under this chapter.
AB56,1212 10Section 1212. 102.425 (4m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,728,2011 102.425 (4m) (b) An employer or insurer that disputes the reasonableness of
12the amount charged for a prescription drug dispensed under sub. (2) for outpatient
13use by an injured employee or the department or division under sub. (4) (b) or s.
14102.16 (1m) (c) or 102.18 (1) (bg) 3. shall provide, within 30 days after receiving a
15completed bill for the prescription drug, reasonable written notice to the pharmacist
16or practitioner that the charge is being disputed. After receiving reasonable written
17notice under this paragraph or under sub. (4) (b) or s. 102.16 (1m) (c) or 102.18 (1)
18(bg) 3. that a prescription drug charge is being disputed, a pharmacist or practitioner
19may not collect the disputed charge from, or bring an action for collection of the
20disputed charge against, the employee who received the prescription drug.
AB56,1213 21Section 1213. 102.43 (5) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,729,722 102.43 (5) (b) Except as provided in s. 102.61 (1g), temporary disability shall
23also include such period as the employee may be receiving instruction under s. 102.61
24(1) or (1m). Temporary disability on account of receiving instruction under s. 102.61
25(1) or (1m), and not otherwise resulting from the injury, shall not be in excess of 80

1weeks. That 80-week limitation does not apply to temporary disability benefits
2under this section, the cost of tuition, fees, books, travel, or maintenance under s.
3102.61 (1), or the cost of private rehabilitation counseling or rehabilitative training
4under s. 102.61 (1m) if the department or the division determines that additional
5training is warranted. The necessity for additional training as authorized by the
6department or the division for any employee shall be subject to periodic review and
7reevaluation.
AB56,1214 8Section 1214. 102.43 (9) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,729,149 102.43 (9) (e) The employee's employment with the employer has been
10suspended or terminated due to misconduct, as defined in s. 108.04 (5), by the
11employee connected with the employee's work
or substantial fault, as defined for
12failing to notify his or her employer of absenteeism or tardiness that becomes
13excessive as provided
in s. 108.04 (5g) (a), by the employee connected with the
14employee's work
.
AB56,1215 15Section 1215. 102.44 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,729,2116 102.44 (2) In case of permanent total disability, aggregate indemnity shall be
17weekly indemnity for the period that the employee may live. Total impairment for
18industrial use of both eyes, the loss of both arms at or near the shoulder, the loss of
19both legs at or near the hip, or the loss of one arm at the shoulder and one leg at the
20hip constitutes permanent total disability. This enumeration is not exclusive, but in
21other cases the division department shall find the facts.
AB56,1216 22Section 1216. 102.44 (6) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,730,323 102.44 (6) (b) If during the period set forth in s. 102.17 (4) the employment
24relationship is terminated by the employer at the time of the injury or by the
25employee because his or her physical or mental limitations prevent his or her

1continuing in such employment, or if during that period a wage loss of 15 percent or
2more occurs, the division department may reopen any award and make a
3redetermination taking into account loss of earning capacity.
AB56,1217 4Section 1217. 102.475 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,730,75 102.475 (6) Proof. In administering this section the department or the division
6may require reasonable proof of birth, marriage, domestic partnership under ch. 770,
7relationship, or dependency.
AB56,1218 8Section 1218. 102.48 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,730,149 102.48 (1) An unestranged surviving parent or parents to whose support the
10deceased has contributed less than $500 in the 52 weeks next preceding the injury
11causing death shall receive a death benefit of $6,500. If the parents are not living
12together, the department or the division shall divide this sum in such proportion as
13the department or division considers to be just, considering their ages and other facts
14bearing on dependency.
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