Kansas House Bill HB2063

Kansas 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/18/23
• Refer: 1/18/23
• Failed: 4/30/24

Caption

Limiting current workers compensation benefit reductions that are based on the receipt of retirement benefits to reductions only to permanent disability compensation and only when retirement benefits begin after the accident.

Impact

The implications of HB2063 are significant in terms of workers' rights and employer liabilities. By restricting the reductions of workers' compensation benefits based on the timing of retirement benefits, the bill aims to minimize the financial impact on injured employees who may also be receiving retirement payments. This creates a clearer distinction between benefits due to work-related injuries and those arising from retirement, potentially increasing the amount of compensation an injured worker retains.

Summary

House Bill 2063 focuses on amendments to the workers' compensation laws in Kansas, specifically addressing how the receipt of retirement benefits impacts disability compensation. The bill introduces a provision that limits reductions in workers' compensation benefit payments for permanent disabilities solely to those cases where retirement benefits commence after an employee has sustained a work-related accident. This change seeks to provide greater protection to workers receiving retirement benefits while acknowledging their rights to compensation for work-related injuries.

Contention

While the bill presents a more employee-friendly framework for handling workers' compensation, it may face contention from employers who could argue that it raises their financial liabilities in cases where employees have concurrent retirement benefits. The debate centers around the balance of providing adequate compensation for injured employees while ensuring that employers are not unduly burdened by additional costs associated with these changes. The bill may spark discussions on further reforms in the workers' compensation system to accommodate various stakeholder perspectives.