#5 Workers’ Comp Reform

While small businesses are concerned about the need to raise benefits for disabled employees, it must be balanced with fraud control and affordable premiums for small business employers CSBA seeks innovative solutions such as 24 Hour Care, Small Business purchasing pools, etc. The unrealistic increases in premiums for commercial and professional liability insurance and bonding have placed a major hardship on small business.

Bill Summaries

Bill Summary
AB 378 – Solorio: Includes pharmacy goods, to the list of medical goods or services for which it is unlawful for a physician to refer a person under this provision, except in prescribed circumstances. Support
AB 397 – Monning: Requires an active contractor licensee with an exemption for workers' compensation insurance on file with the board to either re-certify the licensee's exemption or to provide a current valid Certificate of Workers' Compensation Insurance or Certificate of Self-Insurance. Support
AB 1168 – Pan: Requires, on or before January 1, 2013, the Administrative Director of the Division of Workers' Compensation, to adopt, a fee schedule that establishes reasonable maximum fees paid for services provided by vocational experts. Support
SB 169 – Gaines: Deletes the provision relating to revenue raised during 1996-97 fiscal year that states, law prohibits the revenue raised from the examination of insurers in the 1996-97 fiscal year from exceeding the examination fee revenue estimate for the 1996-97 Governor's Budget by more than $2,000,000. Support.
SB 351 – La Malfa: States the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation relating to workers' compensation in the case of fatal on-the-job accidents. Watch.
SB 684 – Corbett: Requires that any agreement, between an employer, whose principal place of business is in CA, and a workers' compensation insurer concerning resolution of disputes, to resolve disputes that arise in this state in the California courts and under California law. Support.
SB 715 – Calderon: Requires insurers and insurance producers, to comply with specified requirements regarding the purchase, exchange, or replacement of an annuity recommended to a consumer, having reasonable grounds for the insurance producer believing the annuity transaction would be suitable for the consumer. Support.

For more information on bills, pleae visit www.sen.ca.gov and enter the bill number.