Oklahoma 2023 Regular Session

Oklahoma Senate Bill SB413 Latest Draft

Bill / Engrossed Version Filed 03/23/2023

                             
 
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ENGROSSED SENATE 
BILL NO. 413 	By: Daniels of the Senate 
 
  and 
 
  Sneed of the House 
 
 
 
 
An Act relating to workers’ compensation; amending 
85A O.S. 2021, Section 69, which relates to statute 
of limitations; defining term; and providing an 
effective date. 
 
 
 
 
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: 
SECTION 1.     AMENDATORY     85A O.S. 2021, Section 69, is 
amended to read as follows: 
Section 69. A.  Time for Filing. 
1.  A claim for benefits under this act, other than an 
occupational disease, shall be barred unless it is filed with the 
Workers’ Compensation Commissi on within one (1) year from the date 
of the injury or, if the employee ha s received benefits under this 
title for the injury, six (6) months from the date of the last 
issuance of such benefits.  For purposes of this section, the date 
of the injury shall be defined as means the date an injury is caused 
by an accident as set forth in paragraph 9 of Section 2 of this 
title, and date of issuance of medical benefits means the date of 
service of the medical bene fit.   
 
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2.  a. A claim for compensation for disability on accoun t of 
injury which is either an occupational disease or 
occupational infection shall be barred unless filed 
with the Commission within t wo (2) years from the date 
of the last injurious exposure to the hazards of the 
disease or infection. 
b. A claim for compensation for disability on account of 
silicosis or asbestosis s hall be filed with the 
Commission within one (1) year after the time of 
disablement, and the disablement shall occur within 
three (3) years from the date of the last injurious 
exposure to the hazard of silicosis or asbestosis. 
c. A claim for compensation f or disability on account of 
a disease condition caused by exposure to X -rays, 
radioactive substances, or ionizing radiation only 
shall be filed with the Commission within two (2) 
years from the date the condition is made known to an 
employee following exam ination and diagnosis by a 
medical doctor. 
3.  A claim for compensation on account of death shall be barred 
unless filed with the Commission within two (2) years of the date of 
such a death. 
4. If a claim for benefits has been timely filed under 
paragraph 1 of this subsection and the employee does not:   
 
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a. make a good-faith request for a hearing to resolve a 
dispute regarding the right to receive benefits, 
including medical treatment, under this title within 
six (6) months of the date the claim is filed, or 
b. receive or seek benefits, including medical treatment, 
under this title for a period of six (6) months, 
then on motion by the employer, the claim shall be dismissed with 
prejudice. 
B.  Failure to File.  Failure to file a claim within the period 
prescribed in subsection A of this section shall not be a bar to the 
right to benefits hereunder unless objection to the failure is made 
at the first hearing on the claim in which all parties in inter est 
have been given a reasonable notice and opportunity to be h eard by 
the Commission. 
C.  Persons under Disability. 
1.  Notwithstanding any statute of limitation provided for in 
this act, when it is established that failure to file a claim by an 
injured employee or his or her dependents was induced by fraud, the 
claim may be filed within one (1) year from the time of the 
discovery of the fraud. 
2.  Subsection A of this section shall not apply to a mental 
incompetent or minor so long as the person has no gu ardian or 
similar legal representative.  The limitations prescr ibed in 
subsection A of this section shall apply to the mental incompete nt   
 
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or minor from the date of the appointment of a guardian or similar 
legal representative for that person, and when no g uardian or 
similar representative has been appointed, to a mino r on reaching 
the age of majority. 
D.  A latent injury or condition shal l not delay or toll the 
limitation periods specified in this section.  This subsection shall 
not apply to the limitation period for occupational diseases 
specified in paragraph 2 of su bsection A of this section. 
SECTION 2.  This act shall become effective November 1, 2023. 
Passed the Senate the 22nd day of March, 2023. 
 
 
  
 	Presiding Officer of the Senate 
 
 
Passed the House of Representatives the ____ day of __________, 
2023. 
 
 
  
 	Presiding Officer of the House 
 	of Representatives