Relating to modernizing and updating workers’ compensation statutes.

Employers must now report injuries within five days of receiving notice or being notified of a claim, with a strict waiver of rights if they fail to report timely.

Part-time employees are now subject to specific wage calculation methods based on the best quarter of wages from the preceding four quarters.

New criteria require claimants to meet specific medical impairment thresholds (50% whole body or 35% statutory) and prior partial disability awards to qualify for permanent total disability benefits.

Benefits for part-time employees are capped at their calculated average weekly earnings, and certain occupational diseases like carpal tunnel syndrome are excluded from permanent disability aggregation.

The Insurance Commissioner and private carriers gain new authority to suspend benefits if a claimant reaches maximum medical improvement or engages in activities inconsistent with their injury.

New provisions allow for the commutation of benefits for nonresident aliens at a reduced rate (one-half of the citizen rate) and require specific disclosures for settlement agreements.

Strict time limits are imposed on reopening claims, generally limiting requests to five years after closure or award, with only two requests allowed per period.

A new Workers' Compensation Board of Review is created, consisting of five appointed attorneys with specific experience requirements, replacing the previous judicial review structure.

Establishes a new Workers' Compensation Board of Review consisting of at least three attorneys to handle objections to insurance decisions, replacing the previous Office of Judges.

Requires employers to report injuries within five days of receiving notice from an employee, with a waiver of objection rights if the report disputes compensability.

Mandates that pharmacists dispense generic brand medications for workers' compensation claims unless a generic is unavailable.

Clarifies that claimants who terminate employment and receive full Social Security retirement benefits are generally ineligible for permanent total disability awards and cannot submit new evidence to prove eligibility.

Updates the calculation of average weekly wages for part-time employees to use the best quarter of wages from the preceding four quarters, rather than actual hours worked.

Sets a 120-day limit for temporary total disability benefits if the disability continues longer than expected, unless specific medical exceptions apply.

Allows the commission to reopen permanent total disability claims to verify ongoing eligibility, requiring claimants to provide tax returns and financial records.

Eliminates the right to reopen claims for occupational pneumoconiosis after three years from the last exposure or diagnosis, with specific exceptions.

Created a new Workers' Compensation Board of Review composed of at least three attorneys to handle objections to insurance decisions, replacing the previous five-member structure.

Established a new presumption that workers exposed to dust hazards for 10 years within a 15-year period have occupational pneumoconiosis, shifting the burden of proof.

Added a requirement for generic brand medication in workers' compensation claims, with the claimant paying the difference if they choose a name brand.

Implemented a 90-day deadline for the Insurance Commissioner to decide on nonmedical facts in pneumoconiosis claims.

Mandated that employers report injuries to their insurance carrier within five days of receiving notice from the employee.

Repealed the requirement for employers to notify the commission before ordering an autopsy, giving the Insurance Commissioner sole authority to order autopsies.

Modified eligibility for permanent total disability benefits by requiring a 50% whole body medical impairment or a 35% statutory disability for claims filed after 2003.

Restricted permanent total disability benefits for claimants who terminate active employment and begin receiving full Social Security retirement benefits.

Extended the statute of limitations for filing occupational pneumoconiosis claims from two years to three years from the last exposure or diagnosis.

Adjusted temporary total disability benefit calculations for part-time employees to ensure they are not paid less than their average weekly wage.

Updated the calculation of weekly disability benefits and clarified the maximum duration for temporary total disability payments.

Added rules requiring employers to report injuries within five days and clarified the process for monitoring long-term disability claims.

Mandated that pharmacists dispense generic brand medications for workers' compensation claims unless a generic is unavailable.

Established specific filing deadlines for occupational pneumoconiosis claims (3 years from last exposure or diagnosis) and barred new claims if exposure was less than 60 days.

Created a new Board of Review composed of attorneys to replace the previous Office of Judges, with specific requirements for member qualifications and political party balance.

Clarified that benefits for part-time employees are calculated based on their actual earnings rather than a standard full-time rate.