H 163 — An act relating to workers' compensation

Bill Text

• Introduced As IntroducedOpens in a new window Current pdf

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This bill modifies the workers' compensation law by including health insurance benefits in the definition of wages, requiring employers to pay for translation services, allowing claimants to request medical case management, and increasing penalties for late payments.

• 21 V.S.A § 601

  does not include any sum paid by the employer to the employee to cover any special expenses entailed on the employee by the nature of the employment.

  The definition of 'wages' is amended to potentially include additional benefits related to health insurance.

• 21 V.S.A. § 602

  the employer shall pay for translation services to ensure the injured employee fully understands the employee’s rights and can effectively participate in the employee’s medical recovery and the workers’ compensation claims process.

  Employers are now required to provide translation services for employees who are not fluent in English.

• 21 V.S.A. § 640b

  means medical case management services.

  The definition of 'services' now explicitly includes medical case management services within the preauthorization process.

• 21 V.S.A. § 650

  If the benefit payment is not mailed or deposited on the day established, → If the benefit payment is not mailed or deposited on the day established, or if the payment is not mailed or deposited within five business days of the end of the pay period the payment covers,

  Penalties for late payment of workers' compensation benefits are increased.

• 21 V.S.A. § 650

  five percent of the benefit amount, whichever is greater, for each weekly the first payment that is made after the established day; → five percent of the benefit amount for each week the first payment that is made after the established day;

  The penalty structure for late payments is clarified to apply weekly and be more strict.

Action History

1. February 07, 2025

   Read first time and referred to the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development

Sponsors

• Kirk White · Primary
• Herb Olson · Primary
• Michael J Marcotte · Primary
• Abbey Duke · Primary
• Monique Priestley · Primary
• Emily Carris Duncan · Primary

Subjects