SB673: Bill Text

SB673,81 Section 81. 102.18 (2) of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:

SB673,38,10 102.18 (2) The department shall have and maintain on its staff such examiners as are necessary to hear and decide claims and to assist in the effective administration of this chapter. Those examiners shall be attorneys and may be designated as administrative law judges. Those examiners may make findings and orders and may approve, review, set aside, modify, or confirm stipulations of settlement or compromises of claims for compensation.

SB673,82 Section 82. 102.18 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB673,39,3 102.18 (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 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 that were set aside. 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 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.

SB673,83 Section 83. 102.18 (4) (c) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB673,39,6 102.18 (4) (c) 3. Remand the case to the department or the division for further proceedings.

SB673,84 Section 84. 102.18 (4) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB673,39,14 102.18 (4) (d) While a petition for review by the commission is pending or after entry of an order or award by the commission but before commencement of an action for judicial review or expiration of the period in which to commence an action for judicial review, the commission shall remand any compromise presented to it to the department or the division for consideration and approval or rejection under s. 102.16 (1). Presentation of a compromise does not affect the period in which to commence an action for judicial review.

SB673,85 Section 85. 102.18 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB673,39,25 102.18 (5) If it appears to the division department that a mistake may have been made as to cause of injury in the findings, order, or award upon an alleged injury based on accident, when in fact the employee was suffering from an occupational disease, within 3 years after the date of the findings, order, or award the division department may, upon its own motion, with or without hearing, set aside the findings, order or award, or the division department may take that action upon application made within those 3 years. After an opportunity for hearing, the division department may, if in fact the employee is suffering from disease arising out of the employment, make new findings, and a new order or award, or the division department may reinstate the previous findings, order, or award.

SB673,86 Section 86. 102.18 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB673,40,6 102.18 (6) In case of disease arising out of employment, the division department may from time to time review its findings, order, or award, and make new findings, or a new order or award, based on the facts regarding disability or otherwise as those facts may appear at the time of the review. This subsection shall not affect the application of the limitation in s. 102.17 (4).

SB673,87 Section 87. 102.195 of the statutes is amended to read:

SB673,40,14 102.195 Employees confined in institutions; payment of benefits. In case an employee is adjudged mentally ill or incompetent or convicted of a felony, and is confined in a public institution and has wholly dependent upon the employee for support a person whose dependency is determined as if the employee were deceased, compensation payable during the period of the employee's confinement may be paid to the employee and the employee's dependents in such manner, for such time, and in such amount as the department or division by order provides.

SB673,88 Section 88. 102.22 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB673,41,6 102.22 (1) If the employer or his or her insurer inexcusably delays in making the first payment that is due an injured employee for more than 30 days after the date on which the employee leaves work as a result of an injury and if the amount due is $500 or more, the payments as to which the delay is found shall be increased by 10 percent. If the employer or his or her insurer inexcusably delays in making the first payment that is due an injured employee for more than 14 days after the date on which the employee leaves work as a result of an injury, the payments as to which the delay is found may be increased by 10 percent. If the employer or his or her insurer inexcusably delays for any length of time in making any other payment that is due an injured employee, the payments as to which the delay is found may be increased by 10 percent. If the delay is chargeable to the employer and not to the insurer, s. 102.62 applies and the relative liability of the parties shall be fixed and discharged as provided in that section. The department or the division may also order the employer or insurance carrier to reimburse the employee for any finance charges, collection charges, or interest that the employee paid as a result of the inexcusable delay by the employer or insurance carrier.

SB673,89 Section 89. 102.22 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB673,41,15 102.22 (2) If any sum that the department or the division orders to be paid is not paid when due, that sum shall bear interest at the rate of 10 percent per year. The state is liable for interest on awards issued against it under this chapter. The department or the division has jurisdiction to issue an award for payment of interest under this subsection at any time within one year after the date of its order or, if the order is appealed, within one year after final court determination. Interest awarded under this subsection becomes due from the date the examiner's order becomes final or from the date of a decision by the commission, whichever is later.

SB673,90 Section 90. 102.23 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB673,41,20 102.23 (2) Upon the trial of an action for review of an order or award, the court shall disregard any irregularity or error of the commission, or the the department, or the division unless it is made to affirmatively appear that the plaintiff was damaged by that irregularity or error.

SB673,91 Section 91. 102.23 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB673,41,24 102.23 (3) The record in any case shall be transmitted to the department or the division within 5 days after expiration of the time for appeal from the order or judgment of the court, unless an appeal is taken from that order or judgment.

SB673,92 Section 92. 102.23 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB673,42,5 102.23 (5) When an action for review involves only the question of liability as between the employer and one or more insurance companies or as between several insurance companies, a party that has been ordered by the department, the division, the commission, or a court to pay compensation is not relieved from paying compensation as ordered.

SB673,93 Section 93. 102.24 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB673,42,15 102.24 (2) After the commencement of an action to review any order or award of the commission, the parties may have the record remanded by the court for such time and under such condition as the parties may provide, for the purpose of having the department or the division act upon the question of approving or disapproving any settlement or compromise that the parties may desire to have so approved. If approved, the action shall be at an end and judgment may be entered upon the approval as upon an award. If not approved, the department or the division shall immediately return the record to the circuit court and the action shall proceed as if no remand had been made.

SB673,94 Section 94. 102.25 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB673,43,3 102.25 (1) Any party aggrieved by a judgment entered upon the review of any order or award may appeal the judgment within the period specified in s. 808.04 (1). A trial court may not require the commission or any party to the action to execute, serve, or file an undertaking under s. 808.07 or to serve, or secure approval of, a transcript of the notes of the stenographic reporter or the tape of the recording machine. The state is a party aggrieved under this subsection if a judgment is entered upon the review confirming any order or award against the state. At any time before the case is set down for hearing in the court of appeals or the supreme court, the parties may have the record remanded by the court to the department or the division in the same manner and for the same purposes as provided for remanding from the circuit court to the department or the division under s. 102.24 (2).

SB673,95 Section 95. 102.26 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB673,43,17 102.26 (2) Unless previously authorized by the department or the division, no fee may be charged or received for the enforcement or collection of any claim for compensation nor may any contract for that enforcement or collection be enforceable when that fee, inclusive of all taxable attorney fees paid or agreed to be paid for that enforcement or collection, exceeds 20 percent of the amount at which the claim is compromised or of the amount awarded, adjudged, or collected, except that in cases of admitted liability in which there is no dispute as to the amount of compensation due and in which no hearing or appeal is necessary, the fee charged may not exceed 10 percent, but not to exceed $250, of the amount at which the claim is compromised or of the amount awarded, adjudged, or collected. The limitation as to fees shall apply to the combined charges of attorneys, solicitors, representatives, and adjusters who knowingly combine their efforts toward the enforcement or collection of any compensation claim.

SB673,96 Section 96. 102.26 (3) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB673,43,22 102.26 (3) (b) 1. Subject to sub. (2), upon application of any interested party, the department or the division may fix the fee of the claimant's attorney or representative and provide in the award for that fee to be paid directly to the attorney or representative.

SB673,97 Section 97. 102.26 (3) (b) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB673,44,6 102.26 (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.

SB673,98 Section 98. 102.26 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB673,44,12 102.26 (4) Any attorney or other person who charges or receives any fee in violation of this section may be required to forfeit double the amount retained by the attorney or other person, which forfeiture shall be collected by the state in an action in debt upon complaint of the department or the division. Out of the sum recovered the court shall direct payment to the injured party of the amount of the overcharge.

SB673,99 Section 99. 102.27 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB673,44,23 102.27 (2) (b) If a governmental unit provides public assistance under ch. 49 to pay medical costs or living expenses related to a claim under this chapter and if the governmental unit has given the parties to the claim written notice stating that the governmental unit provided the assistance and the cost of that assistance, the department or the division shall order the employer or insurance carrier owing compensation to reimburse that governmental unit for the amount of assistance the governmental unit provided or two-thirds of the amount of the award or payment remaining after deduction of attorney fees and any other fees or costs chargeable under ch. 102, whichever is less. The department shall comply with this paragraph when making payments under s. 102.81.

SB673,100 Section 100. 102.28 (3) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB673,45,16 102.28 (3) (c) An employee who has signed a waiver under par. (a) 1. and an affidavit under par. (a) 2., who sustains an injury that, but for that waiver, the employer would be liable for under s. 102.03, who at the time of the injury was a member of a religious sect whose authorized representative has filed an affidavit under par. (a) 3. and an agreement under par. (a) 4., and who as a result of the injury becomes dependent on the religious sect for financial and medical assistance, or the employee's dependent, may request a hearing under s. 102.17 (1) to determine if the religious sect has provided the employee and his or her dependents with a standard of living and medical treatment that are reasonable when compared to the general standard of living and medical treatment for members of the religious sect. If, after hearing, the division department determines that the religious sect has not provided that standard of living or medical treatment, or both, the division department may order the religious sect to provide alternative benefits to that employee or his or her dependent, or both, in an amount that is reasonable under the circumstances, but not in excess of the benefits that the employee or dependent could have received under this chapter but for the waiver under par. (a) 1.

SB673,101 Section 101. 102.28 (4) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB673,45,21 102.28 (4) (c) After a hearing under par. (b), or without a hearing if one is not requested, the division department may issue an order to an employer to cease operations on a finding that the employer is an uninsured employer. If no hearing is requested, the department may issue such an order.

SB673,102 Section 102. 102.29 (1) (b) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB673,46,8 102.29 (1) (b) (intro.) If a party entitled to notice cannot be found, the department shall become the agent of that party for the giving of a notice as required in par. (a) and the notice, when given to the department, shall include an affidavit setting forth the facts, including the steps taken to locate that party. Each party shall have an equal voice in the prosecution of the claim, and any disputes arising shall be passed upon by the court before whom the case is pending, and if no action is pending, then by a court of record or by the department or the division. If notice is given as provided in par. (a), the liability of the tort-feasor shall be determined as to all parties having a right to make claim and, irrespective of whether or not all parties join in prosecuting the claim, the proceeds of the claim shall be divided as follows:

SB673,103 Section 103. 102.29 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB673,46,15 102.29 (1) (c) If both the employee or the employee's personal representative or other person entitled to bring action, and the employer, compensation insurer, or department, join in the pressing of said claim and are represented by counsel, the attorney fees allowed as a part of the costs of collection shall be, unless otherwise agreed upon, divided between the attorneys for those parties as directed by the court or by the department or the division.

SB673,104 Section 104. 102.29 (1) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB673,46,20 102.29 (1) (d) A settlement of a 3rd-party claim shall be void unless the settlement and the distribution of the proceeds of the settlement are approved by the court before whom the action is pending or, if no action is pending, then by a court of record or by the department or the division.

SB673,105 Section 105. 102.29 (6m) (a) 1m. of the statutes is created to read:

SB673,46,23 102.29 (6m) (a) 1m. The employee leasing company that employs the leased employee.

SB673,106 Section 106 . 102.29 (6m) (a) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB673,47,7 102.29 (6m) (a) 3. Any employee of the client, the employee leasing company that employs the leased employee, or of that other an employee leasing company described in subd. 2., unless the leased employee who has the right to make a claim for compensation would have a right under s. 102.03 (2) to bring an action against the employee of the client, the employee leasing company that employs the leased employee, or the leased employee of the other employee leasing company described in subd. 2., if the employees and leased employees were coemployees.

SB673,107 Section 107. 102.30 (7) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB673,47,14 102.30 (7) (a) The department or the division may order direct reimbursement out of the proceeds payable under this chapter for payments made under a nonindustrial insurance policy covering the same disability and expenses compensable under s. 102.42 when the claimant consents or when it is established that the payments under the nonindustrial insurance policy were improper. No attorney fee is due with respect to that reimbursement.

SB673,108 Section 108 . 102.315 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB673,47,19 102.315 (1) (c) “Divided workforce" means a workforce in which some of the employees of a client are leased employees and some of the employees of the client are not leased employees, but does not include a workforce with respect to a client that has elected to provide insurance coverage for leased employees under sub. (2m).

SB673,109 Section 109 . 102.315 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB673,48,8 102.315 (2) Employee leasing company liable. An Except as otherwise provided in an employee leasing agreement that meets the requirements of sub. (2m), an employee leasing company is liable under s. 102.03 for all compensation payable under this chapter to a leased employee, including any payments required under s. 102.16 (3), 102.18 (1) (b) 3. or (bp), 102.22 (1), 102.35 (3), 102.57, or 102.60. If a client that makes an election under sub. (2m) (a) terminates the election, fails to provide the required coverage, or allows coverage to lapse, the employee leasing company is liable under s. 102.03 as set forth in this subsection. Except as permitted allowed under s. 102.29, an employee leasing company may not seek or receive reimbursement from another employer for any payments made as a result of that liability. An employee leasing company is not liable under s. 102.03 for any compensation payable under this chapter to an employee of a client who is not a leased employee.

SB673,110 Section 110 . 102.315 (2e) of the statutes is created to read:

SB673,48,16 102.315 (2e) Termination of employee leasing agreement. If an employee leasing company terminates an employee leasing agreement with a client that has made an election under sub. (2m) (a), the company shall provide notice of the termination of an employee leasing agreement to the department and the client, on a form prescribed by the department, at least 30 days before the termination of the employee leasing agreement. The notice provided under this subsection must contain all of the following information:

SB673,48,18 (a) The name, mailing address, and federal employer identification number of the employee leasing company.

SB673,48,20 (b) The name, mailing address, and federal employer identification number of the client.

SB673,48,21 (c) The effective date of the termination of the employee leasing agreement.

SB673,48,23 (d) The signatures of the authorized representatives of the client and the employee leasing company.

SB673,111 Section 111 . 102.315 (2m) of the statutes is created to read:

SB673,49,5 102.315 (2m) Client election to provide insurance coverage. (a) A client may elect to provide insurance coverage under this chapter for leased employees. Such an election must be provided in an employee leasing agreement, and the leased employees must be insured in the voluntary market and not under a mandatory risk-sharing plan under s. 619.01.

SB673,49,10 (b) The client shall provide notice of an election or termination of an election under par. (a) to the department and the employee leasing company on a form prescribed by the department at least 30 days before the effective date of the election or termination of the election. The notice provided under this subsection must contain all of the following information:

SB673,49,12 1. The name, mailing address, and federal employer identification number of the client.

SB673,49,14 2. The name, mailing address, and federal employer identification number of the employee leasing company.

SB673,49,15 3. The effective date of the employee leasing agreement.

SB673,49,17 4. The signatures of the authorized representatives of the client and the employee leasing company.

SB673,49,21 (c) A client that elects to provide insurance coverage under par. (a) is liable under s. 102.03 for all compensation payable to a leased employee, including any payments required under s. 102.16 (3), 102.18 (1) (b) 3. or (bp), 102.22 (1), 102.35 (3), 102.57, or 102.60.

SB673,49,25 (d) If a client makes an election under par. (a), the employee leasing company shall include the client's federal employer identification number on any reports to the department for the purposes of administering the worker's compensation program or the unemployment insurance program under ch. 108.

SB673,50,2 (e) The experience rating under the standards and criteria under ss. 626.11 and 626.12 remain with a client that makes an election under par. (a).

SB673,112 Section 112 . 102.315 (2s) of the statutes is created to read:

SB673,50,5 102.315 (2s) Claim reporting. Any claim filed under this chapter for a leased employee shall include the client's federal employer identification number.

SB673,113 Section 113. 102.32 (1m) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB673,50,11 102.32 (1m) (intro.) In any case in which compensation payments for an injury have extended or will extend over 6 months or more after the date of the injury or in any case in which death benefits are payable, any party in interest may, in the discretion of the department or the division, be discharged from, or compelled to guarantee, future compensation payments by doing any of the following:

SB673,114 Section 114. 102.32 (1m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB673,50,16 102.32 (1m) (a) Depositing the present value of the total unpaid compensation upon a 5 percent interest discount basis with a credit union, savings bank, savings and loan association, bank, or trust company designated by the department or the division.

SB673,115 Section 115. 102.32 (1m) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB673,50,19 102.32 (1m) (c) Making payment in gross upon a 5 percent interest discount basis to be approved by the department or the division.

SB673,116 Section 116. 102.32 (1m) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB673,51,9 102.32 (1m) (d) In cases in which the time for making payments or the amounts of payments cannot be definitely determined, furnishing a bond, or other security, satisfactory to the department or the division for the payment of compensation as may be due or become due. The acceptance of the bond, or other security, and the form and sufficiency of the bond or other security, shall be subject to the approval of the department or the division. If the employer or insurer is unable or fails to immediately procure the bond, the employer or insurer, in lieu of procuring the bond, shall deposit with a credit union, savings bank, savings and loan association, bank, or trust company designated by the department or the division the maximum amount that may reasonably become payable in those cases, to be determined by the department or the division at amounts consistent with the extent of the injuries and the law. The bonds and deposits may be reduced only to satisfy claims and may be withdrawn only after the claims which they are to guarantee are fully satisfied or liquidated under par. (a), (b), or (c).

SB673,117 Section 117. 102.32 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB673,51,17 102.32 (5) Any insured employer may, in the discretion of the department or the division, compel the insurer to discharge, or to guarantee payment of, the employer's liabilities in any case described in sub. (1m) and by that discharge or guarantee release the employer from liability for compensation in that case, except that if for any reason a bond furnished or deposit made under sub. (1m) (d) does not fully protect the beneficiary of the bond or deposit, the compensation insurer or insured employer, as the case may be, shall still be liable to that beneficiary.

SB673,118 Section 118. 102.32 (6m) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB673,52,2 102.32 (6m) The department or the division may direct an advance on a payment of unaccrued compensation for permanent disability or death benefits if the department or the division determines that the advance payment is in the best interest of the injured employee or the employee's dependents. In directing the advance, the department or the division shall give the employer or the employer's insurer an interest credit against its liability. The credit shall be computed at 5 percent. An injured employee or dependent may receive no more than 3 advance payments per calendar year.

SB673,119 Section 119. 102.32 (7) of the statutes is amended to read: