Oklahoma Senate committee approves reforms, opt out

Oklahoma lawmakers are once again considering legislation to allow employers to opt out of the workers' comp system. The bill making its way through the legislature is a tweaked version of last year's rejected proposal.

S.B. 1062 was approved by the Oklahoma Senate Judiciary Committee in mid-February.

Under the proposal, employers would have the option of establishing their own plans to pay benefits to workers who sustain occupational injuries. They would be required to provide a level of benefits at least equal to that of the state's system.

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Gov. Mary Fallin called the measure a great start to the discussion of reforming the workers' comp system but said she would also like to see legislation address rising medical costs and the misuse of prescription drugs in the workers' comp system.

The proposed legislation would also convert the system into an administrative one, rather than a court-based system. Starting next January, workers' comp claims would be decided by administrative law judges appointed by commissioners who are appointed by the governor and approved by the state Senate. The bill is expected to be taken up by the full Senate soon.

Read more at the WorkersComp Forum homepage.

March 11, 2013

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