| 1 | | - | BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.125 |
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| 2 | | - | 2025 Page1of10 |
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| 3 | | - | S.125 |
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| 4 | | - | IntroducedbyCommitteeonEconomicDevelopment,HousingandGeneral |
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| 5 | | - | Affairs |
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| 6 | | - | Date:March18,2025 |
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| 7 | | - | Subject:Labor;Executive;workers’compensation;JudiciaryEmployees |
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| 8 | | - | LaborRelationsAct;collectivebargainingrights |
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| 9 | | - | Statementofpurposeofbillasintroduced:Thisbillproposestorequire |
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| 10 | | - | workers’compensationinsurancecarrierstopayfortranslationservices,to |
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| 11 | | - | allowworkers’compensationclaimantstorequestmedicalcasemanagement |
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| 12 | | - | services,andtoincreasepenaltiesforthelatepaymentofworkers’ |
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| 13 | | - | compensationbenefits.Thisbillalsoproposestoallowjudiciarysupervisors |
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| 14 | | - | toorganizeandbargaincollectivelyandtoappropriateadditionalfundingto |
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| 15 | | - | increasestaffingattheVermontLaborRelationsBoard. |
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| 16 | | - | Anactrelatingtoworkers’compensationandcollectivebargainingrights |
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| 17 | | - | ItisherebyenactedbytheGeneralAssemblyoftheStateofVermont: |
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| 18 | | - | ***Workers’Compensation*** |
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| 19 | | - | Sec.1.21V.S.A§601isamendedtoread: |
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| 20 | | - | §601.DEFINITIONS |
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| 21 | | - | Asusedinthischapter: |
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| 40 | | - | 19 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.125 |
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| 41 | | - | 2025 Page2of10 |
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| 42 | | - | *** |
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| 43 | | - | (31)“Medicalcasemanagement”meanstheplanningandcoordination |
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| 44 | | - | ofhealthcareservicesappropriatetoachievethegoalofmedical |
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| 45 | | - | rehabilitation. |
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| 46 | | - | (A)Medicalcasemanagementmayincludemedicalcaseassessment, |
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| 47 | | - | includingapersonalinterviewwiththeinjuredemployee;assistancein |
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| 48 | | - | developing,implementing,andcoordinatingamedicalcareplanwithhealth |
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| 49 | | - | careprovidersinconsultationwiththeinjuredemployeeandtheemployees’ |
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| 50 | | - | family;andanevaluationoftreatmentresults.Thegoalofmedicalcase |
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| 51 | | - | managementistoprovidetheinjuredemployeewithreasonabletreatment |
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| 52 | | - | optionstoensurethattheinjuredemployeecanmakeaninformedchoice. |
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| 53 | | - | (B)Medicalcasemanagersshallnotprovidemedicalcareoradjust |
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| 54 | | - | claims. |
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| 55 | | - | (C)Aninjuredemployeeshallbeentitledtomedicalcase |
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| 56 | | - | managementservicesifreasonablysupported.Reasonablesupportincludesa |
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| 57 | | - | recommendationmadebyahealthcareproviderorevidencedemonstratingthe |
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| 58 | | - | injuredemployee’smedicalrecoverywouldbenefitfromtheservices,orboth. |
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| 75 | | - | 17 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.125 |
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| 76 | | - | 2025 Page3of10 |
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| 77 | | - | Sec.2.21V.S.A.§602isamendedtoread: |
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| 78 | | - | §602.PROCESSANDPROCEDURE |
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| 79 | | - | *** |
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| 80 | | - | (d)WhenaninjuredemployeedoesnotspeakEnglishfluently,the |
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| 81 | | - | employershallpayfortranslationservicestoensuretheinjuredemployeefully |
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| 82 | | - | understandstheemployee’srightsandcaneffectivelyparticipateinthe |
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| 83 | | - | employee’smedicalrecoveryandtheworkers’compensationclaimsprocess. |
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| 84 | | - | Sec.3.21V.S.A.640bisamendedtoread: |
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| 85 | | - | §640b.REQUESTFORPREAUTHORIZATION TODETERMINEIF |
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| 86 | | - | PROPOSEDBENEFITSORSERVICESARENECESSARY |
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| 87 | | - | (a)Asusedinthissection,: |
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| 88 | | - | (1)“benefits”“Benefits”meansmedicaltreatmentandsurgical, |
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| 89 | | - | medical,andnursingservicesandsupplies,includingprescriptiondrugsand |
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| 90 | | - | durablemedicalequipment. |
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| 91 | | - | (2)“Services”meansmedicalcasemanagementservices. |
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| 92 | | - | *** |
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| 93 | | - | (e)Within14daysafterreceivingarequestforpreauthorizationof |
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| 94 | | - | proposedmedicalcasemanagementservices,theinsurershalldooneofthe |
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| 95 | | - | following,inwriting: |
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| 114 | | - | 19 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.125 |
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| 115 | | - | 2025 Page4of10 |
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| 116 | | - | (1)Authorizetheservicesandnotifytheinjuredemployee,the |
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| 117 | | - | Department,andthetreatingproviderrecommendingtheservices,if |
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| 118 | | - | applicable. |
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| 119 | | - | (2)Denytheservicesbecausetheentireclaimisdisputed,andthe |
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| 120 | | - | Commissionerhasnotissuedaninterimordertopaybenefits.Theinsurer |
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| 121 | | - | shallnotifytheinjuredemployee,theDepartment,andthetreatingprovider |
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| 122 | | - | recommendingtheservices,ifapplicable,ofthedecisiontodenybenefits. |
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| 123 | | - | (3)Denytherequestifthereisnotreasonablesupportfortherequested |
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| 124 | | - | services.Theinsurershallnotifytheinjuredemployee,theDepartment,and |
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| 125 | | - | thetreatingproviderrecommendingtheservices,ifapplicable,ofthedecision |
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| 126 | | - | todenybenefits. |
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| 127 | | - | (4)Notifytheinjuredemployee,theDepartment,andthetreating |
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| 128 | | - | providerrecommendingtheservices,ifapplicable,thattheinsurerhas |
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| 129 | | - | scheduledanexaminationoftheinjuredemployeepursuanttosection655of |
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| 130 | | - | thistitleororderedamedicalrecordreviewpursuanttosection655aofthis |
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| 131 | | - | title.Basedontheexaminationorreview,theinsurershallnotifytheinjured |
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| 132 | | - | employeeandtheDepartmentofthedecisionwithin45daysafterarequestfor |
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| 133 | | - | preauthorization.TheCommissionermay,intheCommissioner’ssole |
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| 134 | | - | discretion,granta10-dayextensiontotheinsurertoauthorizeordenythe |
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| 135 | | - | services,andsuchanextensionshallnotbesubjecttoappeal. |
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| 155 | | - | 20 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.125 |
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| 156 | | - | 2025 Page5of10 |
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| 157 | | - | (f)Iftheinsurerfailstoauthorizeordenytheservicespursuantto |
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| 158 | | - | subsection(e)ofthissectionwithin14daysafterreceivingarequest,the |
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| 159 | | - | injuredemployeeortheinjuredemployee’streatingprovider,ifapplicable, |
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| 160 | | - | mayrequestthattheDepartmentissueanorderauthorizingservices.After |
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| 161 | | - | receiptoftherequest,theDepartmentshallissueaninterimorderwithinfive |
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| 162 | | - | daysafternoticetotheinsurer,andfivedaysinwhichtorespond,absent |
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| 163 | | - | evidencethattheentireclaimisdisputed.Uponrequestofaparty,the |
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| 164 | | - | Commissionershallnotifythepartiesthattheserviceshavebeenauthorizedby |
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| 165 | | - | operationoflaw. |
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| 166 | | - | (g)Iftheinsurerdeniesthepreauthorizationoftheservicespursuantto |
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| 167 | | - | subdivision(e)(2),(3),or(4)ofthissection,theCommissionermay,onthe |
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| 168 | | - | Commissioner’sowninitiativeoruponarequestbytheinjuredworker,issue |
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| 169 | | - | anorderauthorizingtheservicesiftheCommissionerfindsthattheevidence |
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| 170 | | - | showsthattheservicesarereasonablysupported. |
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| 171 | | - | Sec.4.21V.S.A.§650isamendedtoread: |
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| 172 | | - | §650.PAYMENT;AVERAGEWAGE;COMPUTATION |
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| 173 | | - | *** |
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| 174 | | - | (f)(1)(A)Whenbenefitshavebeenawardedorarenotindisputeas |
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| 175 | | - | providedinsubsection(e)ofthissection,theemployershallestablisha |
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| 176 | | - | weekdayonwhichpaymentshallbemailedordepositedandnotifythe |
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| 196 | | - | 20 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.125 |
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| 197 | | - | 2025 Page6of10 |
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| 198 | | - | claimantandtheDepartmentofthatday.Theemployershallensurethateach |
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| 199 | | - | weeklypaymentismailedordepositedonorbeforethedayestablished. |
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| 200 | | - | (B)Paymentshallbemadebydirectdeposittoaclaimantwhoelects |
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| 201 | | - | thatpaymentmethod.Theemployershallnotifytheclaimantofthe |
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| 202 | | - | claimant’srighttopaymentbydirectdeposit. |
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| 203 | | - | (2)Ifthebenefitpaymentisnotmailedordepositedontheday |
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| 204 | | - | established,orifthepaymentisnotmailedordepositedwithinfivebusiness |
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| 205 | | - | daysfollowingtheendofthepayperiodthepaymentcovers,theemployer |
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| 206 | | - | shallpaytotheclaimantalatefeeequaltothegreaterof$10.00or: |
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| 207 | | - | (A)fivepercentofthebenefitamount,whicheverisgreater,foreach |
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| 208 | | - | weeklythefirstpaymentthatismadeaftertheestablishedday; |
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| 209 | | - | (B)10percentofthebenefitamountforthesecondpaymentthatis |
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| 210 | | - | madeaftertheestablishedday;and |
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| 211 | | - | (C)15percentofthebenefitamountforthethirdandanysubsequent |
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| 212 | | - | paymentsthataremadeaftertheestablishedday. |
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| 213 | | - | (3)Asusedinthissubsection,“paid”meansthepaymentismailedto |
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| 214 | | - | theclaimant’smailingaddressor,inthecaseofdirectdeposit,transferredinto |
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| 215 | | - | thedesignatedaccount.Intheeventofadispute,proofofpaymentshallbe |
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| 216 | | - | establishedbyaffidavit. |
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| 217 | | - | ***LaborRelations*** |
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| 218 | | - | Sec.5.3V.S.A.§1011isamendedtoread: |
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| 239 | | - | 21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.125 |
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| 240 | | - | 2025 Page7of10 |
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| 241 | | - | §1011.DEFINITIONS |
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| 242 | | - | Asusedinthischapter: |
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| 243 | | - | *** |
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| 244 | | - | (8)“Employee,”meansanyindividualemployedandcompensatedona |
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| 245 | | - | permanentorlimitedstatusbasisbytheJudiciaryDepartment,including |
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| 246 | | - | permanentpart-timeemployeesandanyindividualwhoseemploymenthas |
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| 247 | | - | ceasedasaconsequenceof,orinconnectionwith,anycurrentlabordisputeor |
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| 248 | | - | becauseofanunfairlaborpractice.“Employee”doesnotincludeanyofthe |
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| 249 | | - | following: |
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| 250 | | - | (A)aJustice,judge,assistantjudge,magistrate,orhearingofficer; |
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| 251 | | - | (B)theCourtAdministrator; |
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| 252 | | - | (C)amanagerial,supervisory,orconfidentialemployee; |
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| 253 | | - | (D)alawclerk,attorney,oradministrativeassistantorprivate |
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| 254 | | - | secretarytoajudge,Justice,orCourtAdministrator; |
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| 255 | | - | (E)anindividualemployedonatemporary,contractual,seasonal,or |
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| 256 | | - | on-callbasis,includinganintern; |
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| 257 | | - | (F)anemployeeduringtheinitialorextendedprobationaryperiod; |
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| 258 | | - | (G)theheadofadepartmentordivision; |
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| 259 | | - | (H)[Repealed.] |
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| 260 | | - | (I)anattorneyfortheSupremeCourt,fortheCourtAdministrator, |
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| 261 | | - | orforanyboardorcommissioncreatedbytheSupremeCourt; |
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| 282 | | - | 21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.125 |
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| 283 | | - | 2025 Page8of10 |
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| 284 | | - | (J)anemployeepaidbytheStatewhoisappointedpart-timeas |
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| 285 | | - | countyclerkpursuantto4V.S.A.§651or691; |
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| 286 | | - | (K)anemployeewho,afterhearingbytheBoarduponpetitionof |
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| 287 | | - | anyindividual,theemployer,oracollectivebargainingunit,isdeterminedto |
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| 288 | | - | beinapositionthatissufficientlyinconsistentwiththespiritandintentofthis |
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| 289 | | - | chaptertowarrantexclusion. |
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| 290 | | - | *** |
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| 291 | | - | Sec.5a.3V.S.A.§941isamendedtoread: |
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| 292 | | - | §941.UNITDETERMINATION,CERTIFICATION,AND |
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| 293 | | - | REPRESENTATION |
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| 294 | | - | *** |
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| 295 | | - | (c)(1)ApetitionmaybefiledwiththeBoard,inaccordancewith |
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| 296 | | - | proceduresprescribedbytheBoardbyanemployeeorgroupofemployees,or |
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| 297 | | - | anyindividualoremployeeorganizationpurportingtoactontheirbehalf, |
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| 298 | | - | allegingbyfilingapetitionorpetitionsbearingsignaturesofnotlessthan30 |
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| 299 | | - | percentoftheemployeesthattheywishtoformabargainingunitandbe |
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| 300 | | - | representedforcollectivebargaining,orthattheindividualoremployee |
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| 301 | | - | organizationcurrentlycertifiedasthebargainingagentisnolongersupported |
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| 302 | | - | byatleast51percentoftheemployeesinthebargainingunit,orthattheyare |
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| 303 | | - | nowincludedinanapprovedbargainingunitandwishtoformaseparate |
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| 304 | | - | bargainingunitunderBoardcriteriaforpurposesofcollectivebargaining. |
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| 305 | | - | Theemployee,groupofemployees,individual,oremployeeorganizationthat |
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| 306 | | - | filesthepetition,shall,atthesametimethatthepetitionisfiledwiththe |
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| 307 | | - | Board,provideacopyofthepetitiontotheemployerand,ifappropriate,the |
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| 308 | | - | currentbargainingagent. |
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| 309 | | - | (2)ApetitionmaybefiledwiththeBoard,inaccordancewith |
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| 310 | | - | proceduresprescribedbytheBoard,byanemployeeorgroupofemployees,or |
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| 311 | | - | anyindividualoremployeeorganizationpurportingtoactontheirbehalf, |
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| 312 | | - | allegingbyfilingapetitionorpetitionsbearingsignaturesofnotlessthan50 |
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| 313 | | - | percentplusoneoftheemployeesthattheindividualoremployeeorganization |
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| 314 | | - | currentlycertifiedasthebargainingagentisnolongersupportedbya |
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| 315 | | - | majorityoftheemployeesinthebargainingunit.Theemployee,groupof |
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| 316 | | - | employees,individual,oremployeeorganizationthatfilesthepetitionshall,at |
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| 317 | | - | thesametimethatthepetitionisfiledwiththeBoard,provideacopyofthe |
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| 318 | | - | petitiontotheemployerand,ifappropriate,thecurrentbargainingagent. |
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| 326 | | - | 2025 Page9of10 |
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| 327 | | - | (A)(i)Anemployershall,notmorethansevenbusinessdaysafter |
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| 328 | | - | receivingacopyofthepetition,fileanyobjectionstotheappropriatenessof |
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| 329 | | - | theproposedbargainingunitandraiseanyotherunitdeterminationissues |
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| 330 | | - | withtheBoardandprovideacopyofthefilingtotheemployee,groupof |
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| 331 | | - | employees,individual,oremployeeorganizationthatfiledthepetition. |
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| 332 | | - | *** |
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| 333 | | - | (d)TheBoard,aBoardmember,orapersonorpersonsdesignatedbythe |
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| 334 | | - | Boardshallinvestigatethepetitionanddooneofthefollowing: |
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| 335 | | - | (1)Determinethatthepetitionhasmadeasufficientshowingofinterest |
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| 336 | | - | pursuanttosubdivisionsubdivisions(c)(1)and(2)ofthissection. |
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| 337 | | - | *** |
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| 338 | | - | ***StateConstructionProjects*** |
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| 339 | | - | Sec.5b.29V.S.A.§ 161isamendedtoread: |
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| 340 | | - | §161.REQUIREMENTSONSTATECONSTRUCTIONPROJECTS |
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| 341 | | - | *** |
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| 342 | | - | (d)Subsections(a)through(c)andsubsection(g)ofthissectionshallnot |
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| 343 | | - | applytomaintenanceorconstructionprojectscarriedoutbytheAgencyof |
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| 344 | | - | TransportationandbytheDepartmentofForests,ParksandRecreation. |
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| 345 | | - | *** |
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| 346 | | - | (g)EmployersandsubcontractorscontractingwiththeStateofVermont |
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| 347 | | - | pursuanttothissectionshallkeepatrueandaccuraterecordofallemployees |
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| 348 | | - | workingontheproject. |
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| 349 | | - | (1)Foreachemployee,therecordshallinclude: |
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| 350 | | - | (A)thenameoftheemployee; |
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| 351 | | - | (B)theaddressoftheemployee; |
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| 352 | | - | (C)thehoursworkedbytheemployee; |
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| 353 | | - | (D)thewagespaidtotheemployee; |
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| 354 | | - | (E)theemployee’srateofpay;and |
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| 355 | | - | (F)theclassificationoftheemployee;thelicensedtradesshall |
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| 356 | | - | supplyproofofclassificationofjourneyworkersandindenturedapprentices. |
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| 357 | | - | (2)Therecordsdescribedinsubdivision(1)ofthissubsectionshallbe |
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| 358 | | - | submittedweeklybyU.S.mailoremailtotheStateagencyoverseeingthe |
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| 359 | | - | constructionproject.Therecordsshallbeaccompaniedbyasignedstatement |
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| 360 | | - | fromtheemployerorsubcontractorverifyingtheaccuracyoftherecords. BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.125 |
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| 362 | | - | (3)Eachemployerandsubcontractorshallpreservetherecords |
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| 363 | | - | describedinsubdivision(1)ofthissubsectionforthreeyearsfromthedateof |
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| 364 | | - | completionoftheStateproject.Therecordsshallbeavailableforinspection |
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| 365 | | - | bytheCommissionerofLaboratanyreasonabletimeuponrequest. |
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| 366 | | - | (4)Therecordsreceivedpursuanttosubdivision(2)ofthissubsection |
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| 367 | | - | shallbesubjecttoinspectionorcopyingpursuantto1V.S.A.§§315–320. |
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| 368 | | - | Sec.6.VERMONTLABORRELATIONSBOARD;APPROPRIATION |
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| 369 | | - | fiscalyear2026,$250,000.00isappropriatedfromtheGeneralFundtothe |
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| 370 | | - | LaborRelationsBoardtoincreasestaffing. |
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| 371 | | - | Sec.76.EFFECTIVEDATE |
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| 372 | | - | ThisactshalltakeeffectonJuly1,2025. |
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| 373 | | - | ***EffectiveDates*** |
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| 374 | | - | Sec.6.EFFECTIVEDATES |
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| 375 | | - | (a)ThissectionandSecs.1–5ashalltakeeffectonJuly1,2025. |
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| 376 | | - | (b)Sec.5bshalltakeeffectonJuly1,2026. |
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| 377 | | - | 1 |
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| 378 | | - | 2 |
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| 379 | | - | 3 |
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| 380 | | - | 4 |
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| 1 | + | BILL AS INTRODUCED S.125 |
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| 2 | + | 2025 Page 1 of 8 |
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| 3 | + | |
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| 4 | + | |
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| 5 | + | VT LEG #381602 v.1 |
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| 6 | + | S.125 1 |
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| 7 | + | Introduced by Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General 2 |
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| 8 | + | Affairs 3 |
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| 9 | + | Date: 4 |
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| 10 | + | Subject: Labor; Executive; workers’ compensation; Judiciary Employees 5 |
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| 11 | + | Labor Relations Act; collective bargaining rights 6 |
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| 12 | + | Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require 7 |
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| 13 | + | workers’ compensation insurance carriers to pay for translation services, to 8 |
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| 14 | + | allow workers’ compensation claimants to request medical case management 9 |
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| 15 | + | services, and to increase penalties for the late payment of workers’ 10 |
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| 16 | + | compensation benefits. This bill also proposes to allow judiciary supervisors 11 |
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| 17 | + | to organize and bargain collectively and to appropriate additional funding to 12 |
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| 18 | + | increase staffing at the Vermont Labor Relations Board. 13 |
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| 19 | + | An act relating to workers’ compensation and collective bargaining rights 14 |
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| 20 | + | It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 15 |
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| 21 | + | * * * Workers’ Compensation * * * 16 |
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| 22 | + | Sec. 1. 21 V.S.A § 601 is amended to read: 17 |
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| 23 | + | § 601. DEFINITIONS 18 |
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| 24 | + | As used in this chapter: 19 |
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| 25 | + | * * * 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.125 |
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| 26 | + | 2025 Page 2 of 8 |
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| 27 | + | |
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| 28 | + | |
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| 29 | + | VT LEG #381602 v.1 |
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| 30 | + | (31) “Medical case management” means the planning and coordination 1 |
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| 31 | + | of health care services appropriate to achieve the goal of medical 2 |
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| 32 | + | rehabilitation. 3 |
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| 33 | + | (A) Medical case management may include medical case assessment, 4 |
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| 34 | + | including a personal interview with the injured employee; assistance in 5 |
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| 35 | + | developing, implementing, and coordinating a medical care plan with health 6 |
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| 36 | + | care providers in consultation with the injured employee and the employees’ 7 |
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| 37 | + | family; and an evaluation of treatment results. The goal of medical case 8 |
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| 38 | + | management is to provide the injured employee with reasonable treatment 9 |
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| 39 | + | options to ensure that the injured employee can make an informed choice. 10 |
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| 40 | + | (B) Medical case managers shall not provide medical care or adjust 11 |
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| 41 | + | claims. 12 |
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| 42 | + | (C) An injured employee shall be entitled to medical case 13 |
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| 43 | + | management services if reasonably supported. Reasonable support includes a 14 |
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| 44 | + | recommendation made by a health care provider or evidence demonstrating the 15 |
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| 45 | + | injured employee’s medical recovery would benefit from the services, or both. 16 |
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| 46 | + | Sec. 2. 21 V.S.A. § 602 is amended to read: 17 |
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| 47 | + | § 602. PROCESS AND PROCEDURE 18 |
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| 48 | + | * * * 19 |
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| 49 | + | (d) When an injured employee does not speak English fluently, the 20 |
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| 50 | + | employer shall pay for translation services to ensure the injured employee fully 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.125 |
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| 51 | + | 2025 Page 3 of 8 |
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| 52 | + | |
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| 53 | + | |
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| 54 | + | VT LEG #381602 v.1 |
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| 55 | + | understands the employee’s rights and can effectively participate in the 1 |
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| 56 | + | employee’s medical recovery and the workers’ compensation claims process. 2 |
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| 57 | + | Sec. 3. 21 V.S.A. 640b is amended to read: 3 |
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| 58 | + | § 640b. REQUEST FOR PREAUTHORIZATION TO DETERMINE IF 4 |
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| 59 | + | PROPOSED BENEFITS OR SERVICES ARE NECESSARY 5 |
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| 60 | + | (a) As used in this section:: 6 |
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| 61 | + | (1) “benefits” “Benefits” means medical treatment and surgical, 7 |
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| 62 | + | medical, and nursing services and supplies, including prescription drugs and 8 |
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| 63 | + | durable medical equipment. 9 |
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| 64 | + | (2) “Services” means medical case management services. 10 |
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| 65 | + | * * * 11 |
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| 66 | + | (e) Within 14 days after receiving a request for preauthorization of 12 |
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| 67 | + | proposed medical case management services, the insurer shall do one of the 13 |
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| 68 | + | following, in writing: 14 |
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| 69 | + | (1) Authorize the services and notify the injured employee, the 15 |
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| 70 | + | Department, and the treating provider recommending the services, if 16 |
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| 71 | + | applicable. 17 |
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| 72 | + | (2) Deny the services because the entire claim is disputed, and the 18 |
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| 73 | + | Commissioner has not issued an interim order to pay benefits. The insurer 19 |
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| 74 | + | shall notify the injured employee, the Department, and the treating provider 20 |
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| 75 | + | recommending the services, if applicable, of the decision to deny benefits. 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.125 |
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| 76 | + | 2025 Page 4 of 8 |
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| 77 | + | |
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| 78 | + | |
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| 79 | + | VT LEG #381602 v.1 |
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| 80 | + | (3) Deny the request if there is not reasonable support for the requested 1 |
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| 81 | + | services. The insurer shall notify the injured employee, the Department, and 2 |
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| 82 | + | the treating provider recommending the services, if applicable, of the decision 3 |
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| 83 | + | to deny benefits. 4 |
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| 84 | + | (4) Notify the injured employee, the Department, and the treating 5 |
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| 85 | + | provider recommending the services, if applicable, that the insurer has 6 |
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| 86 | + | scheduled an examination of the injured employee pursuant to section 655 of 7 |
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| 87 | + | this title or ordered a medical record review pursuant to section 655a of this 8 |
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| 88 | + | title. Based on the examination or review, the insurer shall notify the injured 9 |
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| 89 | + | employee and the Department of the decision within 45 days after a request for 10 |
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| 90 | + | preauthorization. The Commissioner may, in the Commissioner’s sole 11 |
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| 91 | + | discretion, grant a 10-day extension to the insurer to authorize or deny the 12 |
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| 92 | + | services, and such an extension shall not be subject to appeal. 13 |
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| 93 | + | (f) If the insurer fails to authorize or deny the services pursuant to 14 |
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| 94 | + | subsection (e) of this section within 14 days after receiving a request, the 15 |
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| 95 | + | injured employee or the injured employee’s treating provider, if applicable, 16 |
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| 96 | + | may request that the Department issue an order authorizing services. After 17 |
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| 97 | + | receipt of the request, the Department shall issue an interim order within five 18 |
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| 98 | + | days after notice to the insurer, and five days in which to respond, absent 19 |
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| 99 | + | evidence that the entire claim is disputed. Upon request of a party, the 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.125 |
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| 100 | + | 2025 Page 5 of 8 |
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| 101 | + | |
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| 102 | + | |
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| 103 | + | VT LEG #381602 v.1 |
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| 104 | + | Commissioner shall notify the parties that the services have been authorized by 1 |
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| 105 | + | operation of law. 2 |
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| 106 | + | (g) If the insurer denies the preauthorization of the services pursuant to 3 |
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| 107 | + | subdivision (e)(2), (3), or (4) of this section, the Commissioner may, on the 4 |
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| 108 | + | Commissioner’s own initiative or upon a request by the injured worker, issue 5 |
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| 109 | + | an order authorizing the services if the Commissioner finds that the evidence 6 |
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| 110 | + | shows that the services are reasonably supported. 7 |
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| 111 | + | Sec. 4. 21 V.S.A. § 650 is amended to read: 8 |
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| 112 | + | § 650. PAYMENT; AVERAGE WAGE; COMPUTATION 9 |
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| 113 | + | * * * 10 |
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| 114 | + | (f)(1)(A) When benefits have been awarded or are not in dispute as 11 |
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| 115 | + | provided in subsection (e) of this section, the employer shall establish a 12 |
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| 116 | + | weekday on which payment shall be mailed or deposited and notify the 13 |
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| 117 | + | claimant and the Department of that day. The employer shall ensure that each 14 |
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| 118 | + | weekly payment is mailed or deposited on or before the day established. 15 |
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| 119 | + | (B) Payment shall be made by direct deposit to a claimant who elects 16 |
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| 120 | + | that payment method. The employer shall notify the claimant of the claimant’s 17 |
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| 121 | + | right to payment by direct deposit. 18 |
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| 122 | + | (2) If the benefit payment is not mailed or deposited on the day 19 |
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| 123 | + | established, or if the payment is not mailed or deposited within five business 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.125 |
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| 124 | + | 2025 Page 6 of 8 |
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| 125 | + | |
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| 126 | + | |
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| 127 | + | VT LEG #381602 v.1 |
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| 128 | + | days following the end of the pay period the payment covers, the employer 1 |
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| 129 | + | shall pay to the claimant a late fee equal to the greater of $10.00 or: 2 |
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| 130 | + | (A) five percent of the benefit amount, whichever is greater, for each 3 |
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| 131 | + | weekly the first payment that is made after the established day; 4 |
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| 132 | + | (B) 10 percent of the benefit amount for the second payment that is 5 |
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| 133 | + | made after the established day; and 6 |
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| 134 | + | (C) 15 percent of the benefit amount for the third and any subsequent 7 |
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| 135 | + | payments that are made after the established day. 8 |
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| 136 | + | (3) As used in this subsection, “paid” means the payment is mailed to 9 |
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| 137 | + | the claimant’s mailing address or, in the case of direct deposit, transferred into 10 |
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| 138 | + | the designated account. In the event of a dispute, proof of payment shall be 11 |
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| 139 | + | established by affidavit. 12 |
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| 140 | + | * * * Labor Relations * * * 13 |
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| 141 | + | Sec. 5. 3 V.S.A. § 1011 is amended to read: 14 |
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| 142 | + | § 1011. DEFINITIONS 15 |
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| 143 | + | As used in this chapter: 16 |
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| 144 | + | * * * 17 |
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| 145 | + | (8) “Employee,” means any individual employed and compensated on a 18 |
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| 146 | + | permanent or limited status basis by the Judiciary Department, including 19 |
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| 147 | + | permanent part-time employees and any individual whose employment has 20 |
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| 148 | + | ceased as a consequence of, or in connection with, any current labor dispute or 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.125 |
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| 149 | + | 2025 Page 7 of 8 |
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| 150 | + | |
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| 151 | + | |
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| 152 | + | VT LEG #381602 v.1 |
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| 153 | + | because of an unfair labor practice. “Employee” does not include any of the 1 |
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| 154 | + | following: 2 |
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| 155 | + | (A) a Justice, judge, assistant judge, magistrate, or hearing officer; 3 |
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| 156 | + | (B) the Court Administrator; 4 |
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| 157 | + | (C) a managerial, supervisory, or confidential employee; 5 |
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| 158 | + | (D) a law clerk, attorney, or administrative assistant or private 6 |
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| 159 | + | secretary to a judge, Justice, or Court Administrator; 7 |
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| 160 | + | (E) an individual employed on a temporary, contractual, seasonal, or 8 |
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| 161 | + | on-call basis, including an intern; 9 |
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| 162 | + | (F) an employee during the initial or extended probationary period; 10 |
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| 163 | + | (G) the head of a department or division; 11 |
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| 164 | + | (H) [Repealed.] 12 |
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| 165 | + | (I) an attorney for the Supreme Court, for the Court Administrator, or 13 |
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| 166 | + | for any board or commission created by the Supreme Court; 14 |
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| 167 | + | (J) an employee paid by the State who is appointed part-time as 15 |
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| 168 | + | county clerk pursuant to 4 V.S.A. § 651 or 691; 16 |
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| 169 | + | (K) an employee who, after hearing by the Board upon petition of 17 |
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| 170 | + | any individual, the employer, or a collective bargaining unit, is determined to 18 |
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| 171 | + | be in a position that is sufficiently inconsistent with the spirit and intent of this 19 |
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| 172 | + | chapter to warrant exclusion. 20 |
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| 173 | + | * * * 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.125 |
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| 174 | + | 2025 Page 8 of 8 |
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| 175 | + | |
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| 176 | + | |
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| 177 | + | VT LEG #381602 v.1 |
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| 178 | + | Sec. 6. VERMONT LABOR RELATIONS BOARD; APPROPRIATION 1 |
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| 179 | + | In fiscal year 2026, $250,000.00 is appropriated from the General Fund to 2 |
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| 180 | + | the Labor Relations Board to increase staffing. 3 |
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| 181 | + | Sec. 7. EFFECTIVE DATE 4 |
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| 182 | + | This act shall take effect on July 1, 2025. 5 |
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