LRB-5293/1
MED&MIM:skw
2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE
2023 ASSEMBLY BILL 1073
February 8, 2024 - Introduced by C OMMITTEE ON LABOR AND INTEGRATED
EMPLOYMENT. Referred to Committee on Labor and Integrated Employment.
***AUTHORS SUBJECT TO CHANGE***
AN ACT to repeal 102.51 (1) (a) 2.; to renumber and amend 102.32 (6m); to
amend 102.11 (1) (intro.), 102.13 (1) (a), 102.13 (1) (b) (intro.), 1., 3. and 4.,
102.13 (1) (d) 1., 2., 3. and 4., 102.13 (2) (a), 102.13 (2) (b), 102.17 (1) (d) 1. and
2., 102.17 (4) (a), 102.29 (3), 102.42 (2) (a), 102.51 (1) (a) 1., 102.61 (1), 102.61
(1g) (b), 102.61 (1g) (c), 102.61 (1m) (a), 102.81 (1) (c) 1. and 102.81 (1) (c) 2.; and
to create 102.18 (1) (b) 1d., 102.18 (1) (b) 1h., 102.18 (1) (b) 1p., 102.18 (1) (b)
1t. and 102.32 (6m) (b) of the statutes; relating to: various changes to the
worker's compensation law.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill makes various changes to the worker's compensation law, as
administered by the Department of Workforce Development and the Division of
Hearings and Appeals (DHA) in the Department of Administration.
Maximum weekly compensation for permanent partial disability
The bill increases the maximum weekly compensation rate for permanent
partial disability from $430 to $438 for injuries occurring before January 1, 2025, and
to $446 for injuries occurring on or after that date.
Uninsured employers fund
Under current law, DWD administers an uninsured employers fund (UEF),
from which DWD pays benefits to injured employees of employers that are not
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 - 2 -2023 - 2024 Legislature LRB-5293/1
MED&MIM:skw
ASSEMBLY BILL 1073
insured or self-insured against worker's compensation liability as required under
the worker's compensation law. Also under current law, the additional solvency
protection for UEF applies to claims of more than $1,000,000, and is used to pay
claims of more than $1,000,000. If such a claim is not covered by excess or stop-loss
reinsurance, worker's compensation insurance carriers are required to reimburse
UEF, up to $500,000 per year, until the amount paid out of UEF is fully paid. Under
the bill, the amount of a claim for which UEF is used to pay is increased to $2,000,000
or more.
Advance payment for permanent partial disability
Under current law, DWD or DHA may direct an advance on a payment of
unaccrued compensation for permanent disability or death benefits not more than
three payments per calendar year if DWD or DHA determines it is in the best interest
of the injured employee or dependents and credits the employer or insurer an interest
credit of 5 percent against its liability. Under the bill, an employer or an employer's
insurer may make advance payment of unaccrued compensation for permanent
partial disability in undisputed cases in the same manner, but without the interest
credit to the employer or insurer.
Case closing
The bill clarifies some of the duties of DWD and DHA with respect to closing
cases for claims of compensation. The bill requires DHA to return to DWD the case
file for any case within 30 days after DHA issues an order on the merits of the case,
if there is no pending appeal to a court. The bill also clarifies that DWD has exclusive
authority to close a case of a claim for compensation. The bill allows DWD to notify
the parties when it closes a case of a claim for compensation. The bill requires DWD
to forward to DHA the file for a closed case of a claim for compensation if a hearing
is required because a claimant has filed a subsequent application for compensation.
Finally, the bill provides the statute of limitations begins to run on the date an order
is issued by the division that approves a compromise agreement, and subsequent
claims will not be barred except as provided by the applicable statute of limitations.
Advanced practice nurse prescribers
Current law provides for the certification of advanced practice nurses by the
Board of Nursing to allow advanced practice nurses to prescribe medication, and the
worker's compensation law thus refers to “advanced practice nurse prescribers” in
lists of treatment providers in various provisions. The bill changes these references
to “advanced practice registered nurses.”
Making references in the statutes gender neutral
The bill makes references to spouses under the worker's compensation law
gender-neutral, to harmonize it with the holding of the U.S. Supreme Court in
Obergefell v. Hodges, 135 S. Ct. 2584, 192 L. Ed. 2d 609 (2015), which recognized that
same-sex couples have a fundamental constitutional right to marriage.
References to federal law
The bill updates references to the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to account
for subsequent amendments to the federal act. - 3 -2023 - 2024 Legislature
LRB-5293/1
MED&MIM:skw
ASSEMBLY BILL 1073
For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be
printed as an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SECTION 1. 102.11 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
102.11 (1) (intro.) The average weekly earnings for temporary disability,
permanent total disability, or death benefits for injury in each calendar year on or
after January 1, 1982, shall be not less than $30 nor more than the wage rate that
results in a maximum compensation rate of 110 percent of the state's average weekly
earnings as determined under s. 108.05 as of June 30 of the previous year. The
average weekly earnings for permanent partial disability shall be not less than $30
and, for permanent partial disability for injuries occurring on or after January 1,
2017, and before April 10, 2022, not more than $543, resulting in a maximum
compensation rate of $362; for permanent partial disability for injuries occurring on
or after April 10, 2022, and before January 1, 2023, not more than $622.50, resulting
in a maximum compensation rate of $415; and for permanent partial disability for
injuries occurring on or after January 1, 2023, and before the effective date of this
subsection .... [LRB inserts date], not more than $645, resulting in a maximum
compensation rate of $430; for permanent partial disability for injuries occurring on
or after the effective date of this subsection .... [LRB inserts date], and before January
1, 2025, not more than $657, resulting in a maximum compensation rate of $438; and
for permanent partial disability for injuries occurring on or after January 1, 2025,
not more than $669, resulting in a maximum compensation rate of $446. Between
such limits the average weekly earnings shall be determined as follows:
SECTION 2. 102.13 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21 - 4 -2023 - 2024 Legislature LRB-5293/1
MED&MIM:skw
SECTION 2 ASSEMBLY BILL 1073
102.13 (1) (a) Except as provided in sub. (4), whenever compensation is claimed
by an employee, the employee shall, upon the written request of the employee's
employer or worker's compensation insurer, submit to reasonable examinations by
physicians, chiropractors, psychologists, dentists, physician assistants, advanced
practice nurse prescribers registered nurses, or podiatrists provided and paid for by
the employer or insurer. No employee who submits to an examination under this
paragraph is a patient of the examining physician, chiropractor, psychologist,
dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or
podiatrist for any purpose other than for the purpose of bringing an action under ch.
655, unless the employee specifically requests treatment from that physician,
chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered
nurse prescriber, or podiatrist.
SECTION 3. 102.13 (1) (b) (intro.), 1., 3. and 4. of the statutes are amended to
read:
102.13 (1) (b) (intro.) An employer or insurer who requests that an employee
submit to reasonable examination under par. (a) or (am) shall tender to the employee,
before the examination, all necessary expenses including transportation expenses.
The employee is entitled to have a physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist,
physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or podiatrist
provided by himself or herself present at the examination and to receive a copy of all
reports of the examination that are prepared by the examining physician,
chiropractor, psychologist, podiatrist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced
practice registered nurse prescriber, or vocational expert immediately upon receipt
of those reports by the employer or worker's compensation insurer. The employee is
entitled to have one observer provided by himself or herself present at the
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25 - 5 -2023 - 2024 Legislature
LRB-5293/1
MED&MIM:skw
SECTION 3
ASSEMBLY BILL 1073
examination. The employee is also entitled to have a translator provided by himself
or herself present at the examination if the employee has difficulty speaking or
understanding the English language. The employer's or insurer's written request
for examination shall notify the employee of all of the following:
1. The proposed date, time, and place of the examination and the identity and
area of specialization of the examining physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist,
podiatrist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or
vocational expert.
3. The employee's right to have his or her physician, chiropractor, psychologist,
dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or
podiatrist present at the examination.
4. The employee's right to receive a copy of all reports of the examination that
are prepared by the examining physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist,
podiatrist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or
vocational expert immediately upon receipt of these reports by the employer or
worker's compensation insurer.
SECTION 4. 102.13 (1) (d) 1., 2., 3. and 4. of the statutes are amended to read:
102.13 (1) (d) 1. Any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, podiatrist,
physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or vocational
expert who is present at any examination under par. (a) or (am) may be required to
testify as to the results of the examination.
2. Any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant,
advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or podiatrist who attended a worker's
compensation claimant for any condition or complaint reasonably related to the
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24 - 6 -2023 - 2024 Legislature LRB-5293/1
MED&MIM:skw
SECTION 4 ASSEMBLY BILL 1073
condition for which the claimant claims compensation may be required to testify
before the division when the division so directs.
3. Notwithstanding any statutory provisions except par. (e), any physician,
chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered
nurse prescriber, or podiatrist attending a worker's compensation claimant for any
condition or complaint reasonably related to the condition for which the claimant
claims compensation may furnish to the employee, employer, worker's compensation
insurer, department, or division information and reports relative to a compensation
claim.
4. The testimony of any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist,
physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or podiatrist who
is licensed to practice where he or she resides or practices in any state and the
testimony of any vocational expert may be received in evidence in compensation
proceedings.
SECTION 5. 102.13 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
102.13 (2) (a) An employee who reports an injury alleged to be work-related
or files an application for hearing waives any physician-patient,
psychologist-patient, or chiropractor-patient privilege with respect to any condition
or complaint reasonably related to the condition for which the employee claims
compensation. Notwithstanding ss. 51.30 and 146.82 and any other law, any
physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, podiatrist, physician assistant,
advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, hospital, or health care provider
shall, within a reasonable time after written request by the employee, employer,
worker's compensation insurer, department, or division, or its representative,
provide that person with any information or written material reasonably related to
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25 - 7 -2023 - 2024 Legislature
LRB-5293/1
MED&MIM:skw
SECTION 5
ASSEMBLY BILL 1073
any injury for which the employee claims compensation. If the request is by a
representative of a worker's compensation insurer for a billing statement, the
physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, podiatrist, physician assistant,
advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, hospital, or health care provider
shall, within 30 days after receiving the request, provide that person with a complete
copy of an itemized billing statement or a billing statement in a standard billing
format recognized by the federal government.
SECTION 6. 102.13 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
102.13 (2) (b) A physician, chiropractor, podiatrist, psychologist, dentist,
physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, hospital, or
health service provider shall furnish a legible, certified duplicate of the written
material requested under par. (a) in paper format upon payment of the actual costs
of preparing the certified duplicate, not to exceed the greater of 45 cents per page or
$7.50 per request, plus the actual costs of postage, or shall furnish a legible, certified
duplicate of that material in electronic format upon payment of $26 per request. Any
person who refuses to provide certified duplicates of written material in the person's
custody that is requested under par. (a) shall be liable for reasonable and necessary
costs and, notwithstanding s. 814.04 (1), reasonable attorney fees incurred in
enforcing the requester's right to the duplicates under par. (a).
SECTION 7. 102.17 (1) (d) 1. and 2. of the statutes are amended to read:
102.17 (1) (d) 1. The contents of certified medical and surgical reports by
physicians, podiatrists, surgeons, dentists, psychologists, physician assistants,
advanced practice nurse prescribers registered nurses, and chiropractors licensed in
and practicing in this state, and of certified reports by experts concerning loss of
earning capacity under s. 102.44 (2) and (3), presented by a party for compensation
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25 - 8 -2023 - 2024 Legislature LRB-5293/1
MED&MIM:skw
SECTION 7 ASSEMBLY BILL 1073
constitute prima facie evidence as to the matter contained in those reports, subject
to any rules and limitations the division prescribes. Certified reports of physicians,
podiatrists, surgeons, dentists, psychologists, physician assistants, advanced
practice nurse prescribers registered nurses, and chiropractors, wherever licensed
and practicing, who have examined or treated the claimant, and of experts, if the
practitioner or expert consents to being subjected to cross-examination, also
constitute prima facie evidence as to the matter contained in those reports. Certified
reports of physicians, podiatrists, surgeons, psychologists, and chiropractors are
admissible as evidence of the diagnosis, necessity of the treatment, and cause and
extent of the disability. Certified reports by doctors of dentistry, physician
assistants, and advanced practice nurse prescribers registered nurses are
admissible as evidence of the diagnosis and necessity of treatment but not of the
cause and extent of disability. Any physician, podiatrist, surgeon, dentist,
psychologist, chiropractor, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse
prescriber, or expert who knowingly makes a false statement of fact or opinion in a
certified report may be fined or imprisoned, or both, under s. 943.395.
2. The record of a hospital or sanatorium in this state that is satisfactory to the
division, established by certificate, affidavit, or testimony of the supervising officer
of the hospital or sanatorium, any other person having charge of the record, or a
physician, podiatrist, surgeon, dentist, psychologist, physician assistant, advanced
practice registered nurse prescriber, or chiropractor to be the record of the patient
in question, and made in the regular course of examination or treatment of the
patient, constitutes prima facie evidence as to the matter contained in the record, to
the extent that the record is otherwise competent and relevant.
SECTION 8. 102.17 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25 - 9 -2023 - 2024 Legislature
LRB-5293/1
MED&MIM:skw
SECTION 8
ASSEMBLY BILL 1073
102.17 (4) (a) Except as provided in this subsection and s. 102.555 (12) (b), in
the case of occupational disease, the right of an employee, the employee's legal
representative, a dependent, the employee's employer or the employer's insurance
company, or other named party to proceed under this section shall not extend beyond
12 years after the date of the injury or death or after the date that compensation,
other than for treatment or burial expenses, was last paid, or would have been last
payable if no advancement were made, whichever date is latest, and in the case of
traumatic injury, that right shall not extend beyond 6 years after that date. The
statute of limitations under this subsection begins to run on the date an order is
issued by the division approving a compromise agreement. A further claim is not
barred except as provided in this subsection, regardless of whether an award is
made.
SECTION 9. 102.18 (1) (b) 1d. of the statutes is created to read:
102.18 (1) (b) 1d. If an application has been filed under s. 102.17 (1) (a) 1. for
a claim for compensation, after the division issues an order on the merits of the case
of the claim under subd. 1., or an order under sub. (2) (c), if there is no pending action
for review by a court, the division shall return to the department the file for the case
of the claim within 30 days after issuing the order. The department shall conduct
further administrative activities, including closing the case of the claim.
SECTION 10. 102.18 (1) (b) 1h. of the statutes is created to read:
102.18 (1) (b) 1h. The department has exclusive authority to close a case of a
claim for compensation.
SECTION 11. 102.18 (1) (b) 1p. of the statutes is created to read:
102.18 (1) (b) 1p. If the department determines it is necessary, the department
shall notify the parties when it closes a case of a claim for compensation.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25 - 10 -2023 - 2024 Legislature LRB-5293/1
MED&MIM:skw
SECTION 12 ASSEMBLY BILL 1073
SECTION 12. 102.18 (1) (b) 1t. of the statutes is created to read:
102.18 (1) (b) 1t. The department shall forward to the division a case of a claim
for compensation if a hearing is required when a party in interest files a subsequent
application under s. 102.17 (1) (a) 1., after an order has been issued under subd. 1.
or sub. (2) (c).
SECTION 13. 102.29 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
102.29 (3) Nothing in this chapter shall prevent an employee from taking the
compensation that the employee may be entitled to under this chapter and also
maintaining a civil action against any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist,
physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or podiatrist for
malpractice.
SECTION 14. 102.32 (6m) of the statutes is renumbered 102.32 (6m) (a) and
amended to read:
102.32 (6m) (a) The department or the division may direct an advance on a
payment of unaccrued compensation for permanent disability or death benefits if the
department or the division determines that the advance payment is in the best
interest of the injured employee or the employee's dependents. In directing the
advance, the department or the division shall give the employer or the employer's
insurer an interest credit against its liability. The credit shall be computed at 5
percent. An injured employee or dependent may receive no more than 3 advance
payments per calendar year under this paragraph.
SECTION 15. 102.32 (6m) (b) of the statutes is created to read:
102.32 (6m) (b) Notwithstanding par. (a), an employer or an employer's insurer
may voluntarily make a lump sum payment of unaccrued compensation for
permanent partial disability in undisputed claims to an injured employee or the
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25 - 11 -2023 - 2024 Legislature
LRB-5293/1
MED&MIM:skw
SECTION 15
ASSEMBLY BILL 1073
employee's dependents with no interest credit against the liability of the employer
or the employer's insurer.
SECTION 16. 102.42 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
102.42 (2) (a) When the employer has notice of an injury and its relationship
to the employment, the employer shall offer to the injured employee his or her choice
of any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced
practice registered nurse prescriber, or podiatrist licensed to practice and practicing
in this state for treatment of the injury. By mutual agreement, the employee may
have the choice of any qualified practitioner not licensed in this state. In case of
emergency, the employer may arrange for treatment without tendering a choice.
After the emergency has passed the employee shall be given his or her choice of
attending practitioner at the earliest opportunity. The employee has the right to a
2nd choice of attending practitioner on notice to the employer or its insurance carrier.
Any further choice shall be by mutual agreement. Partners and clinics are
considered to be one practitioner. Treatment by a practitioner on referral from
another practitioner is considered to be treatment by one practitioner.
SECTION 17. 102.51 (1) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
102.51 (1) (a) 1. A wife married person upon a husband his or her spouse with
whom he or she is living at the time of his the spouse's death.
SECTION 18. 102.51 (1) (a) 2. of the statutes is repealed.
SECTION 19. 102.61 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
102.61 (1) Subject to subs. (1g) and (1m), an employee who is entitled to receive
and has received compensation under this chapter, and who is entitled to and is
receiving instruction under 29 USC 701 to 797b 796l, as administered by the state
in which the employee resides or in which the employee resided at the time of
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25 - 12 -2023 - 2024 Legislature LRB-5293/1
MED&MIM:skw
SECTION 19 ASSEMBLY BILL 1073
becoming physically disabled, shall, in addition to other indemnity, be paid the
actual and necessary costs of tuition, fees, books, and travel required for the
employee's rehabilitation training program and, if the employee receives that
instruction elsewhere than at the place of residence, the actual and necessary costs
of maintenance, during rehabilitation, subject to the conditions and limitations
specified in sub. (1r). The costs of travel under this subsection shall be paid at the
same rate as is provided for state officers and employees under s. 20.916 (8).
SECTION 20. 102.61 (1g) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
102.61 (1g) (b) If an employer offers an employee suitable employment as
provided in par. (c), the employer or the employer's insurance carrier is not liable for
temporary disability benefits under s. 102.43 (5) (b) or for the cost of tuition, fees,
books, travel, and maintenance under sub. (1). Ineligibility for compensation under
this paragraph does not preclude an employee from receiving vocational
rehabilitation services under 29 USC 701 to 797b 796l if the department determines
that the employee is eligible to receive those services.
SECTION 21. 102.61 (1g) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
102.61 (1g) (c) On receiving notice that he or she is eligible to receive vocational
rehabilitation services under 29 USC 701 to 797a 796l, an employee shall provide the
employer with a written report from a physician, chiropractor, psychologist, or
podiatrist stating the employee's permanent work restrictions. Within 60 days after
receiving that report, the employer shall provide to the employee in writing an offer
of suitable employment, a statement that the employer has no suitable employment
for the employee, or a report from a physician, chiropractor, psychologist, or
podiatrist showing that the permanent work restrictions provided by the employee's
practitioner are in dispute and documentation showing that the difference in work
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25 - 13 -2023 - 2024 Legislature
LRB-5293/1
MED&MIM:skw
SECTION 21
ASSEMBLY BILL 1073
restrictions would materially affect either the employer's ability to provide suitable
employment or a vocational rehabilitation counselor's ability to recommend a
rehabilitative training program. If the employer and employee cannot resolve the
dispute within 30 days after the employee receives the employer's report and
documentation, the employer or employee may request a hearing before the division
to determine the employee's work restrictions. Within 30 days after the division
determines the employee's work restrictions, the employer shall provide to the
employee in writing an offer of suitable employment or a statement that the
employer has no suitable employment for the employee.
SECTION 22. 102.61 (1m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
102.61 (1m) (a) If the department has determined under sub. (1) that an
employee is eligible for vocational rehabilitation services under 29 USC 701 to 797b
796l, but that the department cannot provide those services for the employee, the
employee may select a private rehabilitation counselor certified by the department
to determine whether the employee can return to suitable employment without
rehabilitative training and, if that counselor determines that rehabilitative training
is necessary, to develop a rehabilitative training program to restore as nearly as
possible the employee to his or her preinjury earning capacity and potential.
SECTION 23. 102.81 (1) (c) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
102.81 (1) (c) 1. The department shall pay a claim under par. (a) in excess of
$1,000,000 $2,000,000 from the uninsured employers fund in the first instance. If
the claim is not covered by excess or stop-loss reinsurance under sub. (2), the
secretary of administration shall transfer from the appropriation account under s.
20.445 (1) (ra) to the uninsured employers fund as provided in subds. 2. and 3. an
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24 - 14 -2023 - 2024 Legislature LRB-5293/1
MED&MIM:skw
SECTION 23 ASSEMBLY BILL 1073
amount equal to the amount by which payments from the uninsured employers fund
on the claim are in excess of $1,000,000 $2,000,000.
SECTION 24. 102.81 (1) (c) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
102.81 (1) (c) 2. Each calendar year the department shall file with the secretary
of administration a certificate setting forth the number of claims in excess of
$1,000,000 $2,000,000 in the preceding year paid from the uninsured employers
fund, the payments made from the uninsured employers fund on each such claim in
the preceding year, and the total payments made from the uninsured employers fund
on all such claims and, based on that information, the secretary of administration
shall determine the amount to be transferred under subd. 1. in that calendar year.
(END)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11