06LegSummaryWC

Workers' Compensation
2006 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature

Requires a self-insured employer to maintain a contract of insurance or reinsurance meeting specified standards.  (Amends R.S. 23:1196(A)(5))
HB 566 Cravins; Act 387; Effective 6/15/06

Requires a self-insured employer to maintain a contract of insurance or reinsurance meeting specified standards. Changes requirements for self-insurance funds and examinations of companies by the Dept. of Insurance or CPA firms. (Amends R.S. 23:1196(A)(5) and (H) and 1197(C))
HB 577 Powell, T.; Act 388; Effective 6/15/06

Provides for the confidentiality of certain records of the La. Workers’ Compensation Second Injury Board [SIB] related to claims for reimbursement. Waives confidentiality provisions for any government entity authorized by law to conduct any audit or investigation in connection with the administration of a state or federally funded program. Records of the SIB to be available in certain circumstances. (Amends R.S. 23:1293(A)(1) and (3); adds R.S. 23:1293(A)(5))
HB 660 Hunter; Act 16; Effective 5/4/06

Approves, ratifies, and confirms the governor’s Executive Orders 2005-52, 74, 88, 100, and KBB 2006-10. Approving, ratifying, and confirming these executive orders, suspends R.S. 23:1124 which suspends an employee’s right to workers compensation benefits for failure to timely submit to a medical examination. Also, suspends R.S. 23:1203(A) to the extent that the statute differentiates between in-state and out-of-state providers and facilities. The suspension of R.S. 23:1124 and 1203(A) only applies to employees who evacuated due to hurricanes Katrina or Rita. Provides for suspension through 6/30/06. Act preempts and supersedes but does not repeal any conflicting provision of Chapter 10 of Title 23 of the Revised Statutes or any other provision of law, to the extent that such provision conflicts with this Act. Retroactive. (Adds R.S. 23:1020)
HB 678 Hunter; Act 193; Effective 6/2/06

Authorizes that portion of Second Injury Board meetings discussing the granting of prior written approval of claims to be held in executive session. (Amends R.S. 42:6.1(A)(9); adds R.S. 42:6.1(A)(10))
HB 688 Hunter; Act 90; Effective 5/25/06

Requires direct payment of death benefits to children who are 18 years or older, except when the dependent is mentally or physically impaired. (Amends R.S. 23:1235)
HB 775 Hunter; Act 486; Effective 8/15/06

Repeals the 7/1/06 deadline to qualify for $30,000 in additional benefits for catastrophic injury claims. (Repeals R.S. 23:1221(4)(s)(v))
HB 1144 Bowler; Act 494; Effective 8/15/06

Allows for fax and electronic transmission of claims. Provides for the setting of the matter for an initial mediation conference only when the injured employee requests a conference. Requires that the mediation be attended in person. Adds R.S. 23:1361 as an additional exception for the vesting of original, exclusive jurisdiction to the workers’ compensation judge over all claims or disputes arising under the Chapter. (Amends R.S. 23:1310.3(A), (B)(1), (C), (D), and (E))
SB 206 Nevers; Act 48; Effective 5/16/06

Provides for practices and procedures before the Second Injury Board and fund. (Amends R.S. 23:1371(B), 1372, 1375(B), 1377(C)(1), (2), and (D)(1), and 1378(A)(1), (2), (3)(a)(iii), (b)(ii), and (7), (E), and (F)(30), and 1379; adds R.S. 23:1371(D) and 1371.1)
SB 240 Nevers; Act 453; Effective 6/15/06

Provides for practices and procedures for self-insured employers and the office of workers’ compensation administration. (Adds R.S. 23:1168.3 through 1168.12; repeals R.S. 23:1168(D))
SB 324 Nevers; Act 49; Effective 5/16/06

Record keeping requirements for group self-insurance funds for workers’ compensation.  (Amends R.S. 23:1195(A)(5))
SB 745 Nevers; Act 634; Effective 6/23/06