An act relating to miscellaneous workers’ compensation amendments

This bill amends Vermont's workers' compensation laws to improve how injured workers receive benefits and manage their return to work. It allows injured workers to request preauthorization for medical treatment before receiving it, requiring insurers to respond within 14 days or face automatic authorization. The bill also clarifies when employers can require injured workers to search for new jobs, limiting them to contacting no more than three employers per week and exempting those already employed or awaiting surgery. Additionally, it updates the formula for calculating temporary partial disability benefits to better reflect wage differences and adjusts how cost of living increases and dependency payments are applied. Finally, the legislation permits the Workers' Compensation Commissioner to award legal costs to claimants who win their cases.