1 | | - | Date of enactment: |
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2 | | - | 2023 Assembly Bill 1073 Date of publication*: |
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3 | | - | 2023 WISCONSIN ACT |
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4 | | - | 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) |
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5 | | - | (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) |
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6 | | - | 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), |
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7 | | - | 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 |
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8 | | - | (1) (b) 1p., 102.18 (1) (b) 1t. and 102.32 (6m) (b) of the statutes; relating to: various changes to the worker’s compen- |
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9 | | - | sation law. |
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10 | | - | The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in |
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11 | | - | senate and assembly, do enact as follows: |
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12 | | - | SECTION 1. 102.11 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is |
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| 1 | + | LRB-5293/1 |
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| 2 | + | MED&MIM:skw |
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| 3 | + | 2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE |
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| 4 | + | 2023 ASSEMBLY BILL 1073 |
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| 5 | + | February 8, 2024 - Introduced by C OMMITTEE ON LABOR AND INTEGRATED |
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| 6 | + | EMPLOYMENT. Referred to Committee on Labor and Integrated Employment. |
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| 7 | + | ***AUTHORS SUBJECT TO CHANGE*** |
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| 8 | + | AN ACT to repeal 102.51 (1) (a) 2.; to renumber and amend 102.32 (6m); to |
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| 9 | + | amend 102.11 (1) (intro.), 102.13 (1) (a), 102.13 (1) (b) (intro.), 1., 3. and 4., |
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| 10 | + | 102.13 (1) (d) 1., 2., 3. and 4., 102.13 (2) (a), 102.13 (2) (b), 102.17 (1) (d) 1. and |
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| 11 | + | 2., 102.17 (4) (a), 102.29 (3), 102.42 (2) (a), 102.51 (1) (a) 1., 102.61 (1), 102.61 |
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| 12 | + | (1g) (b), 102.61 (1g) (c), 102.61 (1m) (a), 102.81 (1) (c) 1. and 102.81 (1) (c) 2.; and |
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| 13 | + | to create 102.18 (1) (b) 1d., 102.18 (1) (b) 1h., 102.18 (1) (b) 1p., 102.18 (1) (b) |
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| 14 | + | 1t. and 102.32 (6m) (b) of the statutes; relating to: various changes to the |
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| 15 | + | worker's compensation law. |
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| 16 | + | Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau |
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| 17 | + | This bill makes various changes to the worker's compensation law, as |
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| 18 | + | administered by the Department of Workforce Development and the Division of |
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| 19 | + | Hearings and Appeals (DHA) in the Department of Administration. |
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| 20 | + | Maximum weekly compensation for permanent partial disability |
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| 21 | + | The bill increases the maximum weekly compensation rate for permanent |
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| 22 | + | partial disability from $430 to $438 for injuries occurring before January 1, 2025, and |
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| 23 | + | to $446 for injuries occurring on or after that date. |
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| 24 | + | Uninsured employers fund |
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| 25 | + | Under current law, DWD administers an uninsured employers fund (UEF), |
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| 26 | + | from which DWD pays benefits to injured employees of employers that are not |
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| 34 | + | 8 - 2 -2023 - 2024 Legislature LRB-5293/1 |
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| 35 | + | MED&MIM:skw |
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| 36 | + | ASSEMBLY BILL 1073 |
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| 37 | + | insured or self-insured against worker's compensation liability as required under |
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| 38 | + | the worker's compensation law. Also under current law, the additional solvency |
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| 39 | + | protection for UEF applies to claims of more than $1,000,000, and is used to pay |
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| 40 | + | claims of more than $1,000,000. If such a claim is not covered by excess or stop-loss |
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| 41 | + | reinsurance, worker's compensation insurance carriers are required to reimburse |
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| 42 | + | UEF, up to $500,000 per year, until the amount paid out of UEF is fully paid. Under |
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| 43 | + | the bill, the amount of a claim for which UEF is used to pay is increased to $2,000,000 |
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| 44 | + | or more. |
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| 45 | + | Advance payment for permanent partial disability |
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| 46 | + | Under current law, DWD or DHA may direct an advance on a payment of |
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| 47 | + | unaccrued compensation for permanent disability or death benefits not more than |
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| 48 | + | three payments per calendar year if DWD or DHA determines it is in the best interest |
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| 49 | + | of the injured employee or dependents and credits the employer or insurer an interest |
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| 50 | + | credit of 5 percent against its liability. Under the bill, an employer or an employer's |
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| 51 | + | insurer may make advance payment of unaccrued compensation for permanent |
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| 52 | + | partial disability in undisputed cases in the same manner, but without the interest |
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| 53 | + | credit to the employer or insurer. |
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| 54 | + | Case closing |
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| 55 | + | The bill clarifies some of the duties of DWD and DHA with respect to closing |
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| 56 | + | cases for claims of compensation. The bill requires DHA to return to DWD the case |
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| 57 | + | file for any case within 30 days after DHA issues an order on the merits of the case, |
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| 58 | + | if there is no pending appeal to a court. The bill also clarifies that DWD has exclusive |
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| 59 | + | authority to close a case of a claim for compensation. The bill allows DWD to notify |
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| 60 | + | the parties when it closes a case of a claim for compensation. The bill requires DWD |
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| 61 | + | to forward to DHA the file for a closed case of a claim for compensation if a hearing |
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| 62 | + | is required because a claimant has filed a subsequent application for compensation. |
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| 63 | + | Finally, the bill provides the statute of limitations begins to run on the date an order |
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| 64 | + | is issued by the division that approves a compromise agreement, and subsequent |
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| 65 | + | claims will not be barred except as provided by the applicable statute of limitations. |
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| 66 | + | Advanced practice nurse prescribers |
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| 67 | + | Current law provides for the certification of advanced practice nurses by the |
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| 68 | + | Board of Nursing to allow advanced practice nurses to prescribe medication, and the |
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| 69 | + | worker's compensation law thus refers to “advanced practice nurse prescribers” in |
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| 70 | + | lists of treatment providers in various provisions. The bill changes these references |
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| 71 | + | to “advanced practice registered nurses.” |
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| 72 | + | Making references in the statutes gender neutral |
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| 73 | + | The bill makes references to spouses under the worker's compensation law |
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| 74 | + | gender-neutral, to harmonize it with the holding of the U.S. Supreme Court in |
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| 75 | + | Obergefell v. Hodges, 135 S. Ct. 2584, 192 L. Ed. 2d 609 (2015), which recognized that |
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| 76 | + | same-sex couples have a fundamental constitutional right to marriage. |
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| 77 | + | References to federal law |
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| 78 | + | The bill updates references to the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to account |
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| 79 | + | for subsequent amendments to the federal act. - 3 -2023 - 2024 Legislature |
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| 80 | + | LRB-5293/1 |
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| 81 | + | MED&MIM:skw |
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| 82 | + | ASSEMBLY BILL 1073 |
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| 83 | + | For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be |
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| 84 | + | printed as an appendix to this bill. |
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| 85 | + | The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do |
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| 86 | + | enact as follows: |
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| 87 | + | SECTION 1. 102.11 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read: |
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| 88 | + | 102.11 (1) (intro.) The average weekly earnings for temporary disability, |
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| 89 | + | permanent total disability, or death benefits for injury in each calendar year on or |
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| 90 | + | after January 1, 1982, shall be not less than $30 nor more than the wage rate that |
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| 91 | + | results in a maximum compensation rate of 110 percent of the state's average weekly |
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| 92 | + | earnings as determined under s. 108.05 as of June 30 of the previous year. The |
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| 93 | + | average weekly earnings for permanent partial disability shall be not less than $30 |
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| 94 | + | and, for permanent partial disability for injuries occurring on or after January 1, |
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| 95 | + | 2017, and before April 10, 2022, not more than $543, resulting in a maximum |
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| 96 | + | compensation rate of $362; for permanent partial disability for injuries occurring on |
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| 97 | + | or after April 10, 2022, and before January 1, 2023, not more than $622.50, resulting |
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| 98 | + | in a maximum compensation rate of $415; and for permanent partial disability for |
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| 99 | + | injuries occurring on or after January 1, 2023, and before the effective date of this |
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| 100 | + | subsection .... [LRB inserts date], not more than $645, resulting in a maximum |
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| 101 | + | compensation rate of $430; for permanent partial disability for injuries occurring on |
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| 102 | + | or after the effective date of this subsection .... [LRB inserts date], and before January |
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| 103 | + | 1, 2025, not more than $657, resulting in a maximum compensation rate of $438; and |
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| 104 | + | for permanent partial disability for injuries occurring on or after January 1, 2025, |
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| 105 | + | not more than $669, resulting in a maximum compensation rate of $446. Between |
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| 106 | + | such limits the average weekly earnings shall be determined as follows: |
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| 107 | + | SECTION 2. 102.13 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read: |
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| 128 | + | 21 - 4 -2023 - 2024 Legislature LRB-5293/1 |
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| 129 | + | MED&MIM:skw |
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| 130 | + | SECTION 2 ASSEMBLY BILL 1073 |
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| 131 | + | 102.13 (1) (a) Except as provided in sub. (4), whenever compensation is claimed |
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| 132 | + | by an employee, the employee shall, upon the written request of the employee's |
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| 133 | + | employer or worker's compensation insurer, submit to reasonable examinations by |
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| 134 | + | physicians, chiropractors, psychologists, dentists, physician assistants, advanced |
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| 135 | + | practice nurse prescribers registered nurses, or podiatrists provided and paid for by |
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| 136 | + | the employer or insurer. No employee who submits to an examination under this |
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| 137 | + | paragraph is a patient of the examining physician, chiropractor, psychologist, |
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| 138 | + | dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or |
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| 139 | + | podiatrist for any purpose other than for the purpose of bringing an action under ch. |
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| 140 | + | 655, unless the employee specifically requests treatment from that physician, |
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| 141 | + | chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered |
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| 142 | + | nurse prescriber, or podiatrist. |
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| 143 | + | SECTION 3. 102.13 (1) (b) (intro.), 1., 3. and 4. of the statutes are amended to |
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| 144 | + | read: |
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| 145 | + | 102.13 (1) (b) (intro.) An employer or insurer who requests that an employee |
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| 146 | + | submit to reasonable examination under par. (a) or (am) shall tender to the employee, |
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| 147 | + | before the examination, all necessary expenses including transportation expenses. |
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| 148 | + | The employee is entitled to have a physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, |
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| 149 | + | physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or podiatrist |
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| 150 | + | provided by himself or herself present at the examination and to receive a copy of all |
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| 151 | + | reports of the examination that are prepared by the examining physician, |
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| 152 | + | chiropractor, psychologist, podiatrist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced |
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| 153 | + | practice registered nurse prescriber, or vocational expert immediately upon receipt |
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| 154 | + | of those reports by the employer or worker's compensation insurer. The employee is |
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| 155 | + | entitled to have one observer provided by himself or herself present at the |
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| 181 | + | LRB-5293/1 |
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| 182 | + | MED&MIM:skw |
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| 183 | + | SECTION 3 |
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| 184 | + | ASSEMBLY BILL 1073 |
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| 185 | + | examination. The employee is also entitled to have a translator provided by himself |
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| 186 | + | or herself present at the examination if the employee has difficulty speaking or |
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| 187 | + | understanding the English language. The employer's or insurer's written request |
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| 188 | + | for examination shall notify the employee of all of the following: |
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| 189 | + | 1. The proposed date, time, and place of the examination and the identity and |
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| 190 | + | area of specialization of the examining physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, |
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| 191 | + | podiatrist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or |
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| 192 | + | vocational expert. |
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| 193 | + | 3. The employee's right to have his or her physician, chiropractor, psychologist, |
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| 194 | + | dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or |
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| 195 | + | podiatrist present at the examination. |
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| 196 | + | 4. The employee's right to receive a copy of all reports of the examination that |
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| 197 | + | are prepared by the examining physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, |
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| 198 | + | podiatrist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or |
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| 199 | + | vocational expert immediately upon receipt of these reports by the employer or |
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| 200 | + | worker's compensation insurer. |
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| 201 | + | SECTION 4. 102.13 (1) (d) 1., 2., 3. and 4. of the statutes are amended to read: |
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| 202 | + | 102.13 (1) (d) 1. Any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, podiatrist, |
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| 203 | + | physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or vocational |
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| 204 | + | expert who is present at any examination under par. (a) or (am) may be required to |
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| 205 | + | testify as to the results of the examination. |
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| 206 | + | 2. Any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, |
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| 207 | + | advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or podiatrist who attended a worker's |
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| 208 | + | compensation claimant for any condition or complaint reasonably related to the |
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| 232 | + | 24 - 6 -2023 - 2024 Legislature LRB-5293/1 |
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| 233 | + | MED&MIM:skw |
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| 234 | + | SECTION 4 ASSEMBLY BILL 1073 |
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| 235 | + | condition for which the claimant claims compensation may be required to testify |
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| 236 | + | before the division when the division so directs. |
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| 237 | + | 3. Notwithstanding any statutory provisions except par. (e), any physician, |
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| 238 | + | chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered |
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| 239 | + | nurse prescriber, or podiatrist attending a worker's compensation claimant for any |
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| 240 | + | condition or complaint reasonably related to the condition for which the claimant |
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| 241 | + | claims compensation may furnish to the employee, employer, worker's compensation |
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| 242 | + | insurer, department, or division information and reports relative to a compensation |
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| 243 | + | claim. |
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| 244 | + | 4. The testimony of any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, |
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| 245 | + | physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or podiatrist who |
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| 246 | + | is licensed to practice where he or she resides or practices in any state and the |
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| 247 | + | testimony of any vocational expert may be received in evidence in compensation |
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| 248 | + | proceedings. |
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| 249 | + | SECTION 5. 102.13 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read: |
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| 250 | + | 102.13 (2) (a) An employee who reports an injury alleged to be work-related |
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| 251 | + | or files an application for hearing waives any physician-patient, |
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| 252 | + | psychologist-patient, or chiropractor-patient privilege with respect to any condition |
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| 253 | + | or complaint reasonably related to the condition for which the employee claims |
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| 254 | + | compensation. Notwithstanding ss. 51.30 and 146.82 and any other law, any |
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| 255 | + | physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, podiatrist, physician assistant, |
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| 256 | + | advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, hospital, or health care provider |
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| 257 | + | shall, within a reasonable time after written request by the employee, employer, |
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| 258 | + | worker's compensation insurer, department, or division, or its representative, |
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| 259 | + | provide that person with any information or written material reasonably related to |
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| 286 | + | MED&MIM:skw |
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| 287 | + | SECTION 5 |
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| 288 | + | ASSEMBLY BILL 1073 |
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| 289 | + | any injury for which the employee claims compensation. If the request is by a |
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| 290 | + | representative of a worker's compensation insurer for a billing statement, the |
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| 291 | + | physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, podiatrist, physician assistant, |
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| 292 | + | advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, hospital, or health care provider |
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| 293 | + | shall, within 30 days after receiving the request, provide that person with a complete |
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| 294 | + | copy of an itemized billing statement or a billing statement in a standard billing |
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| 295 | + | format recognized by the federal government. |
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| 296 | + | SECTION 6. 102.13 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read: |
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| 297 | + | 102.13 (2) (b) A physician, chiropractor, podiatrist, psychologist, dentist, |
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| 298 | + | physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, hospital, or |
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| 299 | + | health service provider shall furnish a legible, certified duplicate of the written |
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| 300 | + | material requested under par. (a) in paper format upon payment of the actual costs |
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| 301 | + | of preparing the certified duplicate, not to exceed the greater of 45 cents per page or |
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| 302 | + | $7.50 per request, plus the actual costs of postage, or shall furnish a legible, certified |
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| 303 | + | duplicate of that material in electronic format upon payment of $26 per request. Any |
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| 304 | + | person who refuses to provide certified duplicates of written material in the person's |
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| 305 | + | custody that is requested under par. (a) shall be liable for reasonable and necessary |
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| 306 | + | costs and, notwithstanding s. 814.04 (1), reasonable attorney fees incurred in |
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| 307 | + | enforcing the requester's right to the duplicates under par. (a). |
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| 308 | + | SECTION 7. 102.17 (1) (d) 1. and 2. of the statutes are amended to read: |
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| 309 | + | 102.17 (1) (d) 1. The contents of certified medical and surgical reports by |
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| 310 | + | physicians, podiatrists, surgeons, dentists, psychologists, physician assistants, |
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| 311 | + | advanced practice nurse prescribers registered nurses, and chiropractors licensed in |
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| 312 | + | and practicing in this state, and of certified reports by experts concerning loss of |
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| 313 | + | earning capacity under s. 102.44 (2) and (3), presented by a party for compensation |
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| 339 | + | MED&MIM:skw |
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| 340 | + | SECTION 7 ASSEMBLY BILL 1073 |
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| 341 | + | constitute prima facie evidence as to the matter contained in those reports, subject |
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| 342 | + | to any rules and limitations the division prescribes. Certified reports of physicians, |
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| 343 | + | podiatrists, surgeons, dentists, psychologists, physician assistants, advanced |
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| 344 | + | practice nurse prescribers registered nurses, and chiropractors, wherever licensed |
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| 345 | + | and practicing, who have examined or treated the claimant, and of experts, if the |
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| 346 | + | practitioner or expert consents to being subjected to cross-examination, also |
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| 347 | + | constitute prima facie evidence as to the matter contained in those reports. Certified |
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| 348 | + | reports of physicians, podiatrists, surgeons, psychologists, and chiropractors are |
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| 349 | + | admissible as evidence of the diagnosis, necessity of the treatment, and cause and |
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| 350 | + | extent of the disability. Certified reports by doctors of dentistry, physician |
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| 351 | + | assistants, and advanced practice nurse prescribers registered nurses are |
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| 352 | + | admissible as evidence of the diagnosis and necessity of treatment but not of the |
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| 353 | + | cause and extent of disability. Any physician, podiatrist, surgeon, dentist, |
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| 354 | + | psychologist, chiropractor, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse |
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| 355 | + | prescriber, or expert who knowingly makes a false statement of fact or opinion in a |
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| 356 | + | certified report may be fined or imprisoned, or both, under s. 943.395. |
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| 357 | + | 2. The record of a hospital or sanatorium in this state that is satisfactory to the |
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| 358 | + | division, established by certificate, affidavit, or testimony of the supervising officer |
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| 359 | + | of the hospital or sanatorium, any other person having charge of the record, or a |
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| 360 | + | physician, podiatrist, surgeon, dentist, psychologist, physician assistant, advanced |
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| 361 | + | practice registered nurse prescriber, or chiropractor to be the record of the patient |
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| 362 | + | in question, and made in the regular course of examination or treatment of the |
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| 363 | + | patient, constitutes prima facie evidence as to the matter contained in the record, to |
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| 364 | + | the extent that the record is otherwise competent and relevant. |
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| 365 | + | SECTION 8. 102.17 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read: |
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| 390 | + | 25 - 9 -2023 - 2024 Legislature |
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| 391 | + | LRB-5293/1 |
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| 392 | + | MED&MIM:skw |
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| 393 | + | SECTION 8 |
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| 394 | + | ASSEMBLY BILL 1073 |
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| 395 | + | 102.17 (4) (a) Except as provided in this subsection and s. 102.555 (12) (b), in |
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| 396 | + | the case of occupational disease, the right of an employee, the employee's legal |
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| 397 | + | representative, a dependent, the employee's employer or the employer's insurance |
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| 398 | + | company, or other named party to proceed under this section shall not extend beyond |
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| 399 | + | 12 years after the date of the injury or death or after the date that compensation, |
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| 400 | + | other than for treatment or burial expenses, was last paid, or would have been last |
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| 401 | + | payable if no advancement were made, whichever date is latest, and in the case of |
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| 402 | + | traumatic injury, that right shall not extend beyond 6 years after that date. The |
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| 403 | + | statute of limitations under this subsection begins to run on the date an order is |
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| 404 | + | issued by the division approving a compromise agreement. A further claim is not |
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| 405 | + | barred except as provided in this subsection, regardless of whether an award is |
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| 406 | + | made. |
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| 407 | + | SECTION 9. 102.18 (1) (b) 1d. of the statutes is created to read: |
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| 408 | + | 102.18 (1) (b) 1d. If an application has been filed under s. 102.17 (1) (a) 1. for |
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| 409 | + | a claim for compensation, after the division issues an order on the merits of the case |
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| 410 | + | of the claim under subd. 1., or an order under sub. (2) (c), if there is no pending action |
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| 411 | + | for review by a court, the division shall return to the department the file for the case |
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| 412 | + | of the claim within 30 days after issuing the order. The department shall conduct |
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| 413 | + | further administrative activities, including closing the case of the claim. |
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| 414 | + | SECTION 10. 102.18 (1) (b) 1h. of the statutes is created to read: |
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| 415 | + | 102.18 (1) (b) 1h. The department has exclusive authority to close a case of a |
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| 416 | + | claim for compensation. |
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| 417 | + | SECTION 11. 102.18 (1) (b) 1p. of the statutes is created to read: |
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| 418 | + | 102.18 (1) (b) 1p. If the department determines it is necessary, the department |
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| 419 | + | shall notify the parties when it closes a case of a claim for compensation. |
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| 444 | + | 25 - 10 -2023 - 2024 Legislature LRB-5293/1 |
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| 445 | + | MED&MIM:skw |
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| 446 | + | SECTION 12 ASSEMBLY BILL 1073 |
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| 447 | + | SECTION 12. 102.18 (1) (b) 1t. of the statutes is created to read: |
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| 448 | + | 102.18 (1) (b) 1t. The department shall forward to the division a case of a claim |
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| 449 | + | for compensation if a hearing is required when a party in interest files a subsequent |
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| 450 | + | application under s. 102.17 (1) (a) 1., after an order has been issued under subd. 1. |
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| 451 | + | or sub. (2) (c). |
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| 452 | + | SECTION 13. 102.29 (3) of the statutes is amended to read: |
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| 453 | + | 102.29 (3) Nothing in this chapter shall prevent an employee from taking the |
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| 454 | + | compensation that the employee may be entitled to under this chapter and also |
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| 455 | + | maintaining a civil action against any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, |
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| 456 | + | physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or podiatrist for |
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| 457 | + | malpractice. |
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| 458 | + | SECTION 14. 102.32 (6m) of the statutes is renumbered 102.32 (6m) (a) and |
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14 | | - | 102.11 (1) (intro.) The average weekly earnings for |
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15 | | - | temporary disability, permanent total disability, or death |
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16 | | - | benefits for injury in each calendar year on or after Janu- |
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17 | | - | ary 1, 1982, shall be not less than $30 nor more than the |
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18 | | - | wage rate that results in a maximum compensation rate |
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19 | | - | of 110 percent of the state’s average weekly earnings as |
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20 | | - | determined under s. 108.05 as of June 30 of the previous |
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21 | | - | year. The average weekly earnings for permanent partial |
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22 | | - | disability shall be not less than $30 and, for permanent |
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23 | | - | partial disability for injuries occurring on or after January |
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24 | | - | 1, 2017, and before April 10, 2022, not more than $543, |
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25 | | - | resulting in a maximum compensation rate of $362; for |
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26 | | - | permanent partial disability for injuries occurring on or |
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27 | | - | after April 10, 2022, and before January 1, 2023, not |
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28 | | - | more than $622.50, resulting in a maximum compensa- |
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29 | | - | tion rate of $415; and for permanent partial disability for |
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30 | | - | injuries occurring on or after January 1, 2023, and before |
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31 | | - | the effective date of this subsection .... [LRB inserts |
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32 | | - | date], not more than $645, resulting in a maximum com- |
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33 | | - | pensation rate of $430; for permanent partial disability |
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34 | | - | for injuries occurring on or after the effective date of this |
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35 | | - | subsection .... [LRB inserts date], and before January 1, |
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36 | | - | 2025, not more than $657, resulting in a maximum com- |
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37 | | - | pensation rate of $438; and for permanent partial disabil- |
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38 | | - | ity for injuries occurring on or after January 1, 2025, not |
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39 | | - | more than $669, resulting in a maximum compensation |
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40 | | - | rate of $446. Between such limits the average weekly |
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41 | | - | earnings shall be determined as follows: |
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42 | | - | SECTION 2. 102.13 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended |
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43 | | - | to read: |
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44 | | - | 102.13 (1) (a) Except as provided in sub. (4), when- |
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45 | | - | ever compensation is claimed by an employee, the |
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46 | | - | employee shall, upon the written request of the employ- |
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47 | | - | ee’s employer or worker’s compensation insurer, submit |
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48 | | - | to reasonable examinations by physicians, chiropractors, |
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49 | | - | psychologists, dentists, physician assistants, advanced |
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50 | | - | practice nurse prescribers registered nurses, or podia- |
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51 | | - | trists provided and paid for by the employer or insurer. |
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52 | | - | No employee who submits to an examination under this |
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53 | | - | paragraph is a patient of the examining physician, chiro- |
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54 | | - | practor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, |
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55 | | - | advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or podia- |
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56 | | - | * Section 991.11, WISCONSIN STATUTES: Effective date of acts. “Every act and every portion of an act enacted by the legislature over the governor’s |
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57 | | - | partial veto which does not expressly prescribe the time when it takes effect shall take effect on the day after its date of publication.” − 2 −2023 Wisconsin Act 2023 Assembly Bill 1073 |
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58 | | - | trist for any purpose other than for the purpose of bring- |
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59 | | - | ing an action under ch. 655, unless the employee specifi- |
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60 | | - | cally requests treatment from that physician, |
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61 | | - | chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, |
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62 | | - | advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or podia- |
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63 | | - | trist. |
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64 | | - | SECTION 3. 102.13 (1) (b) (intro.), 1., 3. and 4. of the |
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65 | | - | statutes are amended to read: |
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66 | | - | 102.13 (1) (b) (intro.) An employer or insurer who |
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67 | | - | requests that an employee submit to reasonable examina- |
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68 | | - | tion under par. (a) or (am) shall tender to the employee, |
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69 | | - | before the examination, all necessary expenses including |
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70 | | - | transportation expenses. The employee is entitled to |
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71 | | - | have a physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, |
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72 | | - | physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse |
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73 | | - | prescriber, or podiatrist provided by himself or herself |
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74 | | - | present at the examination and to receive a copy of all |
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75 | | - | reports of the examination that are prepared by the exam- |
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76 | | - | ining physician, chiropractor, psychologist, podiatrist, |
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77 | | - | dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered |
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78 | | - | nurse prescriber, or vocational expert immediately upon |
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79 | | - | receipt of those reports by the employer or worker’s com- |
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80 | | - | pensation insurer. The employee is entitled to have one |
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81 | | - | observer provided by himself or herself present at the |
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82 | | - | examination. The employee is also entitled to have a |
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83 | | - | translator provided by himself or herself present at the |
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84 | | - | examination if the employee has difficulty speaking or |
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85 | | - | understanding the English language. The employer’s or |
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86 | | - | insurer’s written request for examination shall notify the |
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87 | | - | employee of all of the following: |
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88 | | - | 1. The proposed date, time, and place of the examina- |
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89 | | - | tion and the identity and area of specialization of the |
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90 | | - | examining physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, |
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91 | | - | podiatrist, physician assistant, advanced practice regis- |
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92 | | - | tered nurse prescriber, or vocational expert. |
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93 | | - | 3. The employee’s right to have his or her physician, |
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94 | | - | chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, |
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95 | | - | advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or podia- |
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96 | | - | trist present at the examination. |
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97 | | - | 4. The employee’s right to receive a copy of all |
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98 | | - | reports of the examination that are prepared by the exam- |
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99 | | - | ining physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, |
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100 | | - | podiatrist, physician assistant, advanced practice regis- |
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101 | | - | tered nurse prescriber, or vocational expert immediately |
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102 | | - | upon receipt of these reports by the employer or worker’s |
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103 | | - | compensation insurer. |
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104 | | - | SECTION 4. 102.13 (1) (d) 1., 2., 3. and 4. of the |
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105 | | - | statutes are amended to read: |
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106 | | - | 102.13 (1) (d) 1. Any physician, chiropractor, psy- |
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107 | | - | chologist, dentist, podiatrist, physician assistant, |
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108 | | - | advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or voca- |
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109 | | - | tional expert who is present at any examination under par. |
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110 | | - | (a) or (am) may be required to testify as to the results of |
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111 | | - | the examination. |
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112 | | - | 2. Any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, |
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113 | | - | physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse |
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114 | | - | prescriber, or podiatrist who attended a worker’s com- |
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115 | | - | pensation claimant for any condition or complaint rea- |
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116 | | - | sonably related to the condition for which the claimant |
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117 | | - | claims compensation may be required to testify before |
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118 | | - | the division when the division so directs. |
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119 | | - | 3. Notwithstanding any statutory provisions except |
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120 | | - | par. (e), any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, den- |
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121 | | - | tist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered |
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122 | | - | nurse prescriber, or podiatrist attending a worker’s com- |
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123 | | - | pensation claimant for any condition or complaint rea- |
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124 | | - | sonably related to the condition for which the claimant |
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125 | | - | claims compensation may furnish to the employee, |
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126 | | - | employer, worker’s compensation insurer, department, |
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127 | | - | or division information and reports relative to a compen- |
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128 | | - | sation claim. |
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129 | | - | 4. The testimony of any physician, chiropractor, psy- |
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130 | | - | chologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice |
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131 | | - | registered nurse prescriber, or podiatrist who is licensed |
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132 | | - | to practice where he or she resides or practices in any state |
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133 | | - | and the testimony of any vocational expert may be |
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134 | | - | received in evidence in compensation proceedings. |
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135 | | - | SECTION 5. 102.13 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended |
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136 | | - | to read: |
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137 | | - | 102.13 (2) (a) An employee who reports an injury |
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138 | | - | alleged to be work−related or files an application for |
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139 | | - | hearing waives any physician−patient, psychologist− |
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140 | | - | patient, or chiropractor−patient privilege with respect to |
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141 | | - | any condition or complaint reasonably related to the con- |
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142 | | - | dition for which the employee claims compensation. |
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143 | | - | Notwithstanding ss. 51.30 and 146.82 and any other law, |
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144 | | - | any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, podia- |
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145 | | - | trist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered |
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146 | | - | nurse prescriber, hospital, or health care provider shall, |
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147 | | - | within a reasonable time after written request by the |
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148 | | - | employee, employer, worker’s compensation insurer, |
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149 | | - | department, or division, or its representative, provide that |
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150 | | - | person with any information or written material reason- |
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151 | | - | ably related to any injury for which the employee claims |
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152 | | - | compensation. If the request is by a representative of a |
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153 | | - | worker’s compensation insurer for a billing statement, |
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154 | | - | the physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, podia- |
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155 | | - | trist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered |
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156 | | - | nurse prescriber, hospital, or health care provider shall, |
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157 | | - | within 30 days after receiving the request, provide that |
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158 | | - | person with a complete copy of an itemized billing state- |
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159 | | - | ment or a billing statement in a standard billing format |
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160 | | - | recognized by the federal government. |
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161 | | - | SECTION 6. 102.13 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended |
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162 | | - | to read: |
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163 | | - | 102.13 (2) (b) A physician, chiropractor, podiatrist, |
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164 | | - | psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced prac- |
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165 | | - | tice registered nurse prescriber, hospital, or health ser- |
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166 | | - | vice provider shall furnish a legible, certified duplicate of |
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167 | | - | the written material requested under par. (a) in paper for- |
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168 | | - | mat upon payment of the actual costs of preparing the cer- |
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169 | | - | tified duplicate, not to exceed the greater of 45 cents per − 3 − 2023 Wisconsin Act 2023 Assembly Bill 1073 |
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170 | | - | page or $7.50 per request, plus the actual costs of postage, |
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171 | | - | or shall furnish a legible, certified duplicate of that mate- |
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172 | | - | rial in electronic format upon payment of $26 per request. |
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173 | | - | Any person who refuses to provide certified duplicates of |
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174 | | - | written material in the person’s custody that is requested |
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175 | | - | under par. (a) shall be liable for reasonable and necessary |
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176 | | - | costs and, notwithstanding s. 814.04 (1), reasonable |
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177 | | - | attorney fees incurred in enforcing the requester’s right |
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178 | | - | to the duplicates under par. (a). |
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179 | | - | SECTION 7. 102.17 (1) (d) 1. and 2. of the statutes are |
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180 | | - | amended to read: |
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181 | | - | 102.17 (1) (d) 1. The contents of certified medical |
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182 | | - | and surgical reports by physicians, podiatrists, surgeons, |
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183 | | - | dentists, psychologists, physician assistants, advanced |
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184 | | - | practice nurse prescribers registered nurses, and chiro- |
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185 | | - | practors licensed in and practicing in this state, and of |
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186 | | - | certified reports by experts concerning loss of earning |
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187 | | - | capacity under s. 102.44 (2) and (3), presented by a party |
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188 | | - | for compensation constitute prima facie evidence as to |
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189 | | - | the matter contained in those reports, subject to any rules |
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190 | | - | and limitations the division prescribes. Certified reports |
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191 | | - | of physicians, podiatrists, surgeons, dentists, psycholo- |
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192 | | - | gists, physician assistants, advanced practice nurse pre- |
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193 | | - | scribers registered nurses, and chiropractors, wherever |
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194 | | - | licensed and practicing, who have examined or treated |
---|
195 | | - | the claimant, and of experts, if the practitioner or expert |
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196 | | - | consents to being subjected to cross−examination, also |
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197 | | - | constitute prima facie evidence as to the matter contained |
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198 | | - | in those reports. Certified reports of physicians, podia- |
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199 | | - | trists, surgeons, psychologists, and chiropractors are |
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200 | | - | admissible as evidence of the diagnosis, necessity of the |
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201 | | - | treatment, and cause and extent of the disability. Certi- |
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202 | | - | fied reports by doctors of dentistry, physician assistants, |
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203 | | - | and advanced practice nurse prescribers registered |
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204 | | - | nurses are admissible as evidence of the diagnosis and |
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205 | | - | necessity of treatment but not of the cause and extent of |
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206 | | - | disability. Any physician, podiatrist, surgeon, dentist, |
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207 | | - | psychologist, chiropractor, physician assistant, advanced |
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208 | | - | practice registered nurse prescriber, or expert who know- |
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209 | | - | ingly makes a false statement of fact or opinion in a certi- |
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210 | | - | fied report may be fined or imprisoned, or both, under s. |
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211 | | - | 943.395. |
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212 | | - | 2. The record of a hospital or sanatorium in this state |
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213 | | - | that is satisfactory to the division, established by certifi- |
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214 | | - | cate, affidavit, or testimony of the supervising officer of |
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215 | | - | the hospital or sanatorium, any other person having |
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216 | | - | charge of the record, or a physician, podiatrist, surgeon, |
---|
217 | | - | dentist, psychologist, physician assistant, advanced prac- |
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218 | | - | tice registered nurse prescriber, or chiropractor to be the |
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219 | | - | record of the patient in question, and made in the regular |
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220 | | - | course of examination or treatment of the patient, consti- |
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221 | | - | tutes prima facie evidence as to the matter contained in |
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222 | | - | the record, to the extent that the record is otherwise com- |
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223 | | - | petent and relevant. |
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224 | | - | SECTION 8. 102.17 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended |
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225 | | - | to read: |
---|
226 | | - | 102.17 (4) (a) Except as provided in this subsection |
---|
227 | | - | and s. 102.555 (12) (b), in the case of occupational dis- |
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228 | | - | ease, the right of an employee, the employee’s legal rep- |
---|
229 | | - | resentative, a dependent, the employee’s employer or the |
---|
230 | | - | employer’s insurance company, or other named party to |
---|
231 | | - | proceed under this section shall not extend beyond 12 |
---|
232 | | - | years after the date of the injury or death or after the date |
---|
233 | | - | that compensation, other than for treatment or burial |
---|
234 | | - | expenses, was last paid, or would have been last payable |
---|
235 | | - | if no advancement were made, whichever date is latest, |
---|
236 | | - | and in the case of traumatic injury, that right shall not |
---|
237 | | - | extend beyond 6 years after that date. The statute of limi- |
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238 | | - | tations under this subsection begins to run on the date an |
---|
239 | | - | order is issued by the division approving a compromise |
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240 | | - | agreement. A further claim is not barred except as pro- |
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241 | | - | vided in this subsection, regardless of whether an award |
---|
242 | | - | is made. |
---|
243 | | - | SECTION 9. 102.18 (1) (b) 1d. of the statutes is created |
---|
244 | | - | to read: |
---|
245 | | - | 102.18 (1) (b) 1d. If an application has been filed |
---|
246 | | - | under s. 102.17 (1) (a) 1. for a claim for compensation, |
---|
247 | | - | after the division issues an order on the merits of the case |
---|
248 | | - | of the claim under subd. 1., or an order under sub. (2) (c), |
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249 | | - | if there is no pending action for review by a court, the |
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250 | | - | division shall return to the department the file for the case |
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251 | | - | of the claim within 30 days after issuing the order. The |
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252 | | - | department shall conduct further administrative activi- |
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253 | | - | ties, including closing the case of the claim. |
---|
254 | | - | SECTION 10. 102.18 (1) (b) 1h. of the statutes is cre- |
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255 | | - | ated to read: |
---|
256 | | - | 102.18 (1) (b) 1h. The department has exclusive |
---|
257 | | - | authority to close a case of a claim for compensation. |
---|
258 | | - | SECTION 11. 102.18 (1) (b) 1p. of the statutes is cre- |
---|
259 | | - | ated to read: |
---|
260 | | - | 102.18 (1) (b) 1p. If the department determines it is |
---|
261 | | - | necessary, the department shall notify the parties when it |
---|
262 | | - | closes a case of a claim for compensation. |
---|
263 | | - | SECTION 12. 102.18 (1) (b) 1t. of the statutes is cre- |
---|
264 | | - | ated to read: |
---|
265 | | - | 102.18 (1) (b) 1t. The department shall forward to the |
---|
266 | | - | division a case of a claim for compensation if a hearing |
---|
267 | | - | is required when a party in interest files a subsequent |
---|
268 | | - | application under s. 102.17 (1) (a) 1., after an order has |
---|
269 | | - | been issued under subd. 1. or sub. (2) (c). |
---|
270 | | - | SECTION 13. 102.29 (3) of the statutes is amended to |
---|
271 | | - | read: |
---|
272 | | - | 102.29 (3) Nothing in this chapter shall prevent an |
---|
273 | | - | employee from taking the compensation that the |
---|
274 | | - | employee may be entitled to under this chapter and also |
---|
275 | | - | maintaining a civil action against any physician, chiro- |
---|
276 | | - | practor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, |
---|
277 | | - | advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, or podia- |
---|
278 | | - | trist for malpractice. |
---|
279 | | - | SECTION 14. 102.32 (6m) of the statutes is renum- |
---|
280 | | - | bered 102.32 (6m) (a) and amended to read: − 4 −2023 Wisconsin Act 2023 Assembly Bill 1073 |
---|
281 | | - | 102.32 (6m) (a) The department or the division may |
---|
282 | | - | direct an advance on a payment of unaccrued compensa- |
---|
283 | | - | tion for permanent disability or death benefits if the |
---|
284 | | - | department or the division determines that the advance |
---|
285 | | - | payment is in the best interest of the injured employee or |
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286 | | - | the employee’s dependents. In directing the advance, the |
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287 | | - | department or the division shall give the employer or the |
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288 | | - | employer’s insurer an interest credit against its liability. |
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289 | | - | The credit shall be computed at 5 percent. An injured |
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290 | | - | employee or dependent may receive no more than 3 |
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291 | | - | advance payments per calendar year under this para- |
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292 | | - | graph. |
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293 | | - | SECTION 15. 102.32 (6m) (b) of the statutes is created |
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294 | | - | to read: |
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295 | | - | 102.32 (6m) (b) Notwithstanding par. (a), an |
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296 | | - | employer or an employer’s insurer may voluntarily make |
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297 | | - | a lump sum payment of unaccrued compensation for per- |
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298 | | - | manent partial disability in undisputed claims to an |
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299 | | - | injured employee or the employee’s dependents with no |
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300 | | - | interest credit against the liability of the employer or the |
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301 | | - | employer’s insurer. |
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302 | | - | SECTION 16. 102.42 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended |
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303 | | - | to read: |
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304 | | - | 102.42 (2) (a) When the employer has notice of an |
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305 | | - | injury and its relationship to the employment, the |
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306 | | - | employer shall offer to the injured employee his or her |
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307 | | - | choice of any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, den- |
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308 | | - | tist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered |
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309 | | - | nurse prescriber, or podiatrist licensed to practice and |
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310 | | - | practicing in this state for treatment of the injury. By |
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311 | | - | mutual agreement, the employee may have the choice of |
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312 | | - | any qualified practitioner not licensed in this state. In |
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313 | | - | case of emergency, the employer may arrange for treat- |
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314 | | - | ment without tendering a choice. After the emergency |
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315 | | - | has passed the employee shall be given his or her choice |
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316 | | - | of attending practitioner at the earliest opportunity. The |
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317 | | - | employee has the right to a 2nd choice of attending practi- |
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318 | | - | tioner on notice to the employer or its insurance carrier. |
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319 | | - | Any further choice shall be by mutual agreement. Part- |
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320 | | - | ners and clinics are considered to be one practitioner. |
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321 | | - | Treatment by a practitioner on referral from another prac- |
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322 | | - | titioner is considered to be treatment by one practitioner. |
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323 | | - | SECTION 17. 102.51 (1) (a) 1. of the statutes is |
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324 | | - | amended to read: |
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325 | | - | 102.51 (1) (a) 1. A wife married person upon a hus- |
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326 | | - | band his or her spouse with whom he or she is living at |
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327 | | - | the time of his the spouse’s death. |
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328 | | - | SECTION 18. 102.51 (1) (a) 2. of the statutes is |
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329 | | - | repealed. |
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330 | | - | SECTION 19. 102.61 (1) of the statutes is amended to |
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331 | | - | read: |
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332 | | - | 102.61 (1) Subject to subs. (1g) and (1m), an |
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333 | | - | employee who is entitled to receive and has received |
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334 | | - | compensation under this chapter, and who is entitled to |
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335 | | - | and is receiving instruction under 29 USC 701 to 797b |
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336 | | - | 796l, as administered by the state in which the employee |
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337 | | - | resides or in which the employee resided at the time of |
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338 | | - | becoming physically disabled, shall, in addition to other |
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339 | | - | indemnity, be paid the actual and necessary costs of |
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340 | | - | tuition, fees, books, and travel required for the employ- |
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341 | | - | ee’s rehabilitation training program and, if the employee |
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342 | | - | receives that instruction elsewhere than at the place of |
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343 | | - | residence, the actual and necessary costs of maintenance, |
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344 | | - | during rehabilitation, subject to the conditions and limi- |
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345 | | - | tations specified in sub. (1r). The costs of travel under |
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346 | | - | this subsection shall be paid at the same rate as is pro- |
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347 | | - | vided for state officers and employees under s. 20.916 |
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348 | | - | (8). |
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349 | | - | SECTION 20. 102.61 (1g) (b) of the statutes is |
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350 | | - | amended to read: |
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351 | | - | 102.61 (1g) (b) If an employer offers an employee |
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352 | | - | suitable employment as provided in par. (c), the employer |
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353 | | - | or the employer’s insurance carrier is not liable for tem- |
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354 | | - | porary disability benefits under s. 102.43 (5) (b) or for the |
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355 | | - | cost of tuition, fees, books, travel, and maintenance under |
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356 | | - | sub. (1). Ineligibility for compensation under this para- |
---|
357 | | - | graph does not preclude an employee from receiving |
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358 | | - | vocational rehabilitation services under 29 USC 701 to |
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359 | | - | 797b 796l if the department determines that the employee |
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360 | | - | is eligible to receive those services. |
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361 | | - | SECTION 21. 102.61 (1g) (c) of the statutes is |
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362 | | - | amended to read: |
---|
363 | | - | 102.61 (1g) (c) On receiving notice that he or she is |
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364 | | - | eligible to receive vocational rehabilitation services |
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365 | | - | under 29 USC 701 to 797a 796l, an employee shall pro- |
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366 | | - | vide the employer with a written report from a physician, |
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367 | | - | chiropractor, psychologist, or podiatrist stating the |
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368 | | - | employee’s permanent work restrictions. Within 60 days |
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369 | | - | after receiving that report, the employer shall provide to |
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370 | | - | the employee in writing an offer of suitable employment, |
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371 | | - | a statement that the employer has no suitable employ- |
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372 | | - | ment for the employee, or a report from a physician, chi- |
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373 | | - | ropractor, psychologist, or podiatrist showing that the |
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374 | | - | permanent work restrictions provided by the employee’s |
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375 | | - | practitioner are in dispute and documentation showing |
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376 | | - | that the difference in work restrictions would materially |
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377 | | - | affect either the employer’s ability to provide suitable |
---|
378 | | - | employment or a vocational rehabilitation counselor’s |
---|
379 | | - | ability to recommend a rehabilitative training program. |
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380 | | - | If the employer and employee cannot resolve the dispute |
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381 | | - | within 30 days after the employee receives the employ- |
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382 | | - | er’s report and documentation, the employer or employee |
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383 | | - | may request a hearing before the division to determine |
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384 | | - | the employee’s work restrictions. Within 30 days after |
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385 | | - | the division determines the employee’s work restrictions, |
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386 | | - | the employer shall provide to the employee in writing an |
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387 | | - | offer of suitable employment or a statement that the |
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| 460 | + | 102.32 (6m) (a) The department or the division may direct an advance on a |
---|
| 461 | + | payment of unaccrued compensation for permanent disability or death benefits if the |
---|
| 462 | + | department or the division determines that the advance payment is in the best |
---|
| 463 | + | interest of the injured employee or the employee's dependents. In directing the |
---|
| 464 | + | advance, the department or the division shall give the employer or the employer's |
---|
| 465 | + | insurer an interest credit against its liability. The credit shall be computed at 5 |
---|
| 466 | + | percent. An injured employee or dependent may receive no more than 3 advance |
---|
| 467 | + | payments per calendar year under this paragraph. |
---|
| 468 | + | SECTION 15. 102.32 (6m) (b) of the statutes is created to read: |
---|
| 469 | + | 102.32 (6m) (b) Notwithstanding par. (a), an employer or an employer's insurer |
---|
| 470 | + | may voluntarily make a lump sum payment of unaccrued compensation for |
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| 471 | + | permanent partial disability in undisputed claims to an injured employee or the |
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| 496 | + | 25 - 11 -2023 - 2024 Legislature |
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| 497 | + | LRB-5293/1 |
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| 498 | + | MED&MIM:skw |
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| 499 | + | SECTION 15 |
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| 500 | + | ASSEMBLY BILL 1073 |
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| 501 | + | employee's dependents with no interest credit against the liability of the employer |
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| 502 | + | or the employer's insurer. |
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| 503 | + | SECTION 16. 102.42 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read: |
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| 504 | + | 102.42 (2) (a) When the employer has notice of an injury and its relationship |
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| 505 | + | to the employment, the employer shall offer to the injured employee his or her choice |
---|
| 506 | + | of any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced |
---|
| 507 | + | practice registered nurse prescriber, or podiatrist licensed to practice and practicing |
---|
| 508 | + | in this state for treatment of the injury. By mutual agreement, the employee may |
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| 509 | + | have the choice of any qualified practitioner not licensed in this state. In case of |
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| 510 | + | emergency, the employer may arrange for treatment without tendering a choice. |
---|
| 511 | + | After the emergency has passed the employee shall be given his or her choice of |
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| 512 | + | attending practitioner at the earliest opportunity. The employee has the right to a |
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| 513 | + | 2nd choice of attending practitioner on notice to the employer or its insurance carrier. |
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| 514 | + | Any further choice shall be by mutual agreement. Partners and clinics are |
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| 515 | + | considered to be one practitioner. Treatment by a practitioner on referral from |
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| 516 | + | another practitioner is considered to be treatment by one practitioner. |
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| 517 | + | SECTION 17. 102.51 (1) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read: |
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| 518 | + | 102.51 (1) (a) 1. A wife married person upon a husband his or her spouse with |
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| 519 | + | whom he or she is living at the time of his the spouse's death. |
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| 520 | + | SECTION 18. 102.51 (1) (a) 2. of the statutes is repealed. |
---|
| 521 | + | SECTION 19. 102.61 (1) of the statutes is amended to read: |
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| 522 | + | 102.61 (1) Subject to subs. (1g) and (1m), an employee who is entitled to receive |
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| 523 | + | and has received compensation under this chapter, and who is entitled to and is |
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| 524 | + | receiving instruction under 29 USC 701 to 797b 796l, as administered by the state |
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| 525 | + | in which the employee resides or in which the employee resided at the time of |
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| 550 | + | 25 - 12 -2023 - 2024 Legislature LRB-5293/1 |
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| 551 | + | MED&MIM:skw |
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| 552 | + | SECTION 19 ASSEMBLY BILL 1073 |
---|
| 553 | + | becoming physically disabled, shall, in addition to other indemnity, be paid the |
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| 554 | + | actual and necessary costs of tuition, fees, books, and travel required for the |
---|
| 555 | + | employee's rehabilitation training program and, if the employee receives that |
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| 556 | + | instruction elsewhere than at the place of residence, the actual and necessary costs |
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| 557 | + | of maintenance, during rehabilitation, subject to the conditions and limitations |
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| 558 | + | specified in sub. (1r). The costs of travel under this subsection shall be paid at the |
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| 559 | + | same rate as is provided for state officers and employees under s. 20.916 (8). |
---|
| 560 | + | SECTION 20. 102.61 (1g) (b) of the statutes is amended to read: |
---|
| 561 | + | 102.61 (1g) (b) If an employer offers an employee suitable employment as |
---|
| 562 | + | provided in par. (c), the employer or the employer's insurance carrier is not liable for |
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| 563 | + | temporary disability benefits under s. 102.43 (5) (b) or for the cost of tuition, fees, |
---|
| 564 | + | books, travel, and maintenance under sub. (1). Ineligibility for compensation under |
---|
| 565 | + | this paragraph does not preclude an employee from receiving vocational |
---|
| 566 | + | rehabilitation services under 29 USC 701 to 797b 796l if the department determines |
---|
| 567 | + | that the employee is eligible to receive those services. |
---|
| 568 | + | SECTION 21. 102.61 (1g) (c) of the statutes is amended to read: |
---|
| 569 | + | 102.61 (1g) (c) On receiving notice that he or she is eligible to receive vocational |
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| 570 | + | rehabilitation services under 29 USC 701 to 797a 796l, an employee shall provide the |
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| 571 | + | employer with a written report from a physician, chiropractor, psychologist, or |
---|
| 572 | + | podiatrist stating the employee's permanent work restrictions. Within 60 days after |
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| 573 | + | receiving that report, the employer shall provide to the employee in writing an offer |
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| 574 | + | of suitable employment, a statement that the employer has no suitable employment |
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| 575 | + | for the employee, or a report from a physician, chiropractor, psychologist, or |
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| 576 | + | podiatrist showing that the permanent work restrictions provided by the employee's |
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| 577 | + | practitioner are in dispute and documentation showing that the difference in work |
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| 601 | + | 24 |
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| 602 | + | 25 - 13 -2023 - 2024 Legislature |
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| 603 | + | LRB-5293/1 |
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| 604 | + | MED&MIM:skw |
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| 605 | + | SECTION 21 |
---|
| 606 | + | ASSEMBLY BILL 1073 |
---|
| 607 | + | restrictions would materially affect either the employer's ability to provide suitable |
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| 608 | + | employment or a vocational rehabilitation counselor's ability to recommend a |
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| 609 | + | rehabilitative training program. If the employer and employee cannot resolve the |
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| 610 | + | dispute within 30 days after the employee receives the employer's report and |
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| 611 | + | documentation, the employer or employee may request a hearing before the division |
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| 612 | + | to determine the employee's work restrictions. Within 30 days after the division |
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| 613 | + | determines the employee's work restrictions, the employer shall provide to the |
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| 614 | + | employee in writing an offer of suitable employment or a statement that the |
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