HB1612
To Amend Portions Of The Law Regarding Certain Workers' Compensation Payments Under The Workers' Compensation Law That Resulted From Initiated Measure 1948, No. 4.
Last Action (May 1, 2023): Died in House Committee at Sine Die Adjournment
Sponsors
AI-Generated Summary
House Bill 1612 amends the Arkansas Workers' Compensation Law, specifically regarding the calculation and limitations of disability and death benefits. The bill proposes removing existing wage limitations for permanently disabled claimants. It clarifies the calculation methods for weekly benefit rates based on a percentage of the state's average weekly wage. Additionally, it streamlines the statutory language regarding the rounding of weekly benefit rates. The primary intent is to adjust the framework for how compensation is determined for injured employees or their surviving dependents.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries are employees who suffer permanent disabilities due to work-related injuries, as the bill seeks to remove previous wage-based caps on their compensation. Surviving dependents of employees who die due to work-related injuries may also benefit from the updated payment calculation framework.
Who Might Suffer?
Employers and workers' compensation insurance carriers are the primary entities negatively impacted, as the removal of wage caps and potential adjustments to benefit calculations may result in higher financial liabilities and increased insurance premium costs for businesses.
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