This bill amends Pennsylvania's Workers' Compensation Act to increase the maximum burial expense benefit for workers who die on the job. Currently capped at $7,000, the reimbursement amount for funeral costs will be raised to $20,000, which will be paid directly to the funeral home by the employer or their insurance provider. The change applies to all deceased workers regardless of whether they have dependents and ensures this payment is not reduced by any other compensation or medical expenses already received. The new provision takes effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.
This Pennsylvania bill requires the Department of Labor and Industry to investigate warehouse distribution centers that report an annual employee injury rate 30% or higher than the state average. The law defines warehouse distribution centers using specific industry classification codes and gives the department authority to enter facilities, review records, interview workers, and consolidate complaints during investigations. Employers found with injury rates at or above the threshold face escalating civil penalties, starting at $6,250 for the first violation and increasing to $25,000 for subsequent violations. The bill also mandates that employers notify their employees when an investigation is underway and allows the Attorney General's office to pursue civil or criminal actions for violations.
This bill allocates $81.3 million from the Workmen's Compensation Administration Fund to the Department of Labor and Industry to cover operating expenses for the fiscal year 2026-2027. The funds will support salaries, wages, travel, and contractual services needed to administer the Workers' Compensation Act and the Pennsylvania Occupational Disease Act. An additional $550,000 is designated for the Office of Small Business Advocate within the Department of Community and Economic Development to fund its operations during the same period. The legislation also authorizes payment of any outstanding bills from the previous fiscal year that remain unpaid as of June 30, 2026.
HB 2204 modifies Pennsylvania's Workers' Compensation Act to require injured workers who have received total disability payments for 104 weeks to undergo a medical examination. This exam, requested by the insurer within 60 days after the 104-week period ends, must be conducted by a Pennsylvania-licensed physician certified by an American Board of Medical Specialties-approved board (and actively practicing at least 20 hours weekly). The examination determines the degree of lasting disability using the American Medical Association's impairment guidelines, affecting workers transitioning from temporary to permanent disability benefits and insurers seeking to assess long-term compensation needs.
SB 1162 allocates $81.3 million from the Workmen's Compensation Administration Fund to the Department of Labor and Industry for administering Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Compensation Act and Occupational Disease Act during fiscal year 2026-2027. It also provides $550,000 to the Office of Small Business Advocate within the Department of Community and Economic Development for its operations during the same period. The bill covers both current-year expenses and payment of unpaid bills from the prior fiscal year ending June 2026. This is a funding measure with no policy changes beyond budget allocation.
SB 1151 amends Pennsylvania's Workers' Compensation Act to require workers receiving total disability compensation for 104 weeks (approximately 2 years) to undergo a medical exam. The insurer must request this exam within 60 days after the 104-week period ends, to assess any permanent impairment from the work injury. The exam must be conducted by a licensed Pennsylvania physician certified by an American Board of Medical Specialties-approved board (and active in clinical practice), using the American Medical Association's impairment guidelines. This change directly affects workers who have exhausted the initial disability compensation period and insurers who must initiate the evaluation process.
HB 2087 amends Pennsylvania's Workers' Compensation Act to extend coverage to volunteer firefighters, ambulance corps members, and rescue squad volunteers who provide regular operational support (such as fundraising, equipment maintenance, or administrative tasks) but do not respond to emergency calls. The bill adds these volunteers to the definition of "employe" under the act, requiring such support to be conducted regularly and approved by the municipality. It explicitly excludes social members who are not involved in operational duties. This change ensures these volunteers can receive workers' compensation for work-related injuries sustained while performing their support roles. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.
SB 801 amends Pennsylvania's Workers' Compensation Act to address occupational diseases with long latency periods (e.g., cancers or respiratory illnesses developing years after workplace exposure). It allows workers to file claims for such diseases within three years of diagnosis, instead of the standard 300-week limit from last exposure, but requires claimants to prove the disease has a latency period exceeding 300 weeks. This directly affects workers in high-risk industries (like construction or manufacturing) who develop illnesses long after exposure to hazards. The bill does not change compensation rates or employer liability but adjusts filing timelines to better accommodate delayed disease manifestation. Death claims related to these diseases must be filed within 300 weeks of death or within three years of diagnosis, whichever is later.
HB 1766 amends Pennsylvania's Workers' Compensation Act to require employers to reimburse qualifying patients for medical marijuana costs under the state's Medical Marijuana Act. It mandates dollar-for-dollar reimbursement for eligible medical marijuana purchases, capped at $250 per month or $3,000 annually, with patients covering costs exceeding $250 monthly. Employers must establish a system for quarterly reimbursements and cover identification card fees for patients. This directly affects workers certified to use medical marijuana under Pennsylvania law who receive workers' compensation benefits. The provision applies specifically to reimbursement through workers' compensation claims, not to changes in medical marijuana eligibility or access.
HB 1621 amends Pennsylvania's Workers' Compensation Act to require that informational materials about workers' compensation procedures be provided in multiple languages. This directly affects non-English speaking workers and employers who need to understand claim processes, injury reporting, and benefits. The key provision mandates adding multilingual versions of standard informational documents to ensure accessibility. The bill focuses on improving communication clarity within the existing workers' compensation system without changing benefit amounts or eligibility rules.
