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H.B. 39 Enrolled

             1     

UTAH INJURED WORKER REEMPLOYMENT

             2     
ACT

             3     
2009 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Chief Sponsor: Michael T. Morley

             6     
Senate Sponsor: Karen Mayne

             7     
             8      LONG TITLE
             9      General Description:
             10          This bill modifies the Utah Injured Worker Reemployment Act.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    restructures the provisions of the chapter;
             14          .    modifies the definition provision;
             15          .    clarifies that the Labor Commission administers the chapter through the Division of
             16      Industrial Accidents;
             17          .    provides for reporting and for penalties for failing to report;
             18          .    provides for rulemaking;
             19          .    clarifies the process for issuing an initial written report and making a referral;
             20          .    clarifies provisions related to a rehabilitation counselor;
             21          .    extends the sunset date for the chapter until July 1, 2014;
             22          .    eliminates the position of rehabilitation coordinator; and
             23          .    makes technical and conforming amendments.
             24      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             25          None
             26      Other Special Clauses:
             27          None
             28      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             29      AMENDS:


             30          34A-2-413, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapters 27 and 349
             31          34A-3-102, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 1997, Chapter 375
             32          63I-1-234, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 382
             33      ENACTS:
             34          34A-8a-203, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             35      RENUMBERS AND AMENDS:
             36          34A-8a-101, (Renumbered from 34A-8-102, as renumbered and amended by Laws of
             37      Utah 1997, Chapter 375)
             38          34A-8a-102, (Renumbered from 34A-8-104, as renumbered and amended by Laws of
             39      Utah 1997, Chapter 375)
             40          34A-8a-104, (Renumbered from 34A-8-113, as renumbered and amended by Laws of
             41      Utah 1997, Chapter 375)
             42          34A-8a-105, (Renumbered from 34A-8-110, as renumbered and amended by Laws of
             43      Utah 1997, Chapter 375)
             44          34A-8a-201, (Renumbered from 34A-8-103, as renumbered and amended by Laws of
             45      Utah 1997, Chapter 375)
             46          34A-8a-202, (Renumbered from 34A-8-111, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008,
             47      Chapter 382)
             48          34A-8a-204, (Renumbered from 34A-8-112, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008,
             49      Chapter 382)
             50          34A-8a-301, (Renumbered from 34A-8-106, as renumbered and amended by Laws of
             51      Utah 1997, Chapter 375)
             52          34A-8a-302, (Renumbered from 34A-8-107, as renumbered and amended by Laws of
             53      Utah 1997, Chapter 375)
             54          34A-8a-303, (Renumbered from 34A-8-108, as renumbered and amended by Laws of
             55      Utah 1997, Chapter 375)
             56          34A-8a-304, (Renumbered from 34A-8-109, as renumbered and amended by Laws of
             57      Utah 1997, Chapter 375)


             58      REPEALS:
             59          34A-8-101, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 1997, Chapter 375
             60          34A-8-105, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2005, Chapter 81
             61     
             62      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             63          Section 1. Section 34A-2-413 is amended to read:
             64           34A-2-413. Permanent total disability -- Amount of payments -- Rehabilitation.
             65          (1) (a) In the case of a permanent total disability resulting from an industrial accident
             66      or occupational disease, the employee shall receive compensation as outlined in this section.
             67          (b) To establish entitlement to permanent total disability compensation, the employee
             68      must prove by a preponderance of evidence that:
             69          (i) the employee sustained a significant impairment or combination of impairments as
             70      a result of the industrial accident or occupational disease that gives rise to the permanent total
             71      disability entitlement;
             72          (ii) the employee is permanently totally disabled; and
             73          (iii) the industrial accident or occupational disease is the direct cause of the
             74      employee's permanent total disability.
             75          (c) To establish that an employee is permanently totally disabled the employee must
             76      prove by a preponderance of the evidence that:
             77          (i) the employee is not gainfully employed;
             78          (ii) the employee has an impairment or combination of impairments that limit the
             79      employee's ability to do basic work activities;
             80          (iii) the industrial or occupationally caused impairment or combination of
             81      impairments prevent the employee from performing the essential functions of the work
             82      activities for which the employee has been qualified until the time of the industrial accident or
             83      occupational disease that is the basis for the employee's permanent total disability claim; and
             84          (iv) the employee cannot perform other work reasonably available, taking into
             85      consideration the employee's:


             86          (A) age;
             87          (B) education;
             88          (C) past work experience;
             89          (D) medical capacity; and
             90          (E) residual functional capacity.
             91          (d) Evidence of an employee's entitlement to disability benefits other than those
             92      provided under this chapter and Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act, if relevant:
             93          (i) may be presented to the commission;
             94          (ii) is not binding; and
             95          (iii) creates no presumption of an entitlement under this chapter and Chapter 3, Utah
             96      Occupational Disease Act.
             97          (e) In determining under Subsections (1)(b) and (c) whether an employee cannot
             98      perform other work reasonably available, the following may not be considered:
             99          (i) whether the employee is incarcerated in a facility operated by or contracting with a
             100      federal, state, county, or municipal government to house a criminal offender in either a secure
             101      or nonsecure setting; or
             102          (ii) whether the employee is not legally eligible to be employed because of a reason
             103      unrelated to the impairment or combination of impairments.
             104          (2) For permanent total disability compensation during the initial 312-week
             105      entitlement, compensation is 66-2/3% of the employee's average weekly wage at the time of
             106      the injury, limited as follows:
             107          (a) compensation per week may not be more than 85% of the state average weekly
             108      wage at the time of the injury;
             109          (b) (i) subject to Subsection (2)(b)(ii), compensation per week may not be less than the
             110      sum of $45 per week and:
             111          (A) $5 for a dependent spouse; and
             112          (B) $5 for each dependent child under the age of 18 years, up to a maximum of four
             113      dependent minor children; and


             114          (ii) the amount calculated under Subsection (2)(b)(i) may not exceed:
             115          (A) the maximum established in Subsection (2)(a); or
             116          (B) the average weekly wage of the employee at the time of the injury; and
             117          (c) after the initial 312 weeks, the minimum weekly compensation rate under
             118      Subsection (2)(b) is 36% of the current state average weekly wage, rounded to the nearest
             119      dollar.
             120          (3) This Subsection (3) applies to claims resulting from an accident or disease arising
             121      out of and in the course of the employee's employment on or before June 30, 1994.
             122          (a) The employer or its insurance carrier is liable for the initial 312 weeks of
             123      permanent total disability compensation except as outlined in Section 34A-2-703 as in effect
             124      on the date of injury.
             125          (b) The employer or its insurance carrier may not be required to pay compensation for
             126      any combination of disabilities of any kind, as provided in this section and Sections
             127      34A-2-410 through 34A-2-412 and Part 5, Industrial Noise, in excess of the amount of
             128      compensation payable over the initial 312 weeks at the applicable permanent total disability
             129      compensation rate under Subsection (2).
             130          (c) The Employers' Reinsurance Fund shall for an overpayment of compensation
             131      described in Subsection (3)(b), reimburse the overpayment:
             132          (i) to the employer or its insurance carrier; and
             133          (ii) out of the Employers' Reinsurance Fund's liability to the employee.
             134          (d) After an employee receives compensation from the employee's employer, its
             135      insurance carrier, or the Employers' Reinsurance Fund for any combination of disabilities
             136      amounting to 312 weeks of compensation at the applicable permanent total disability
             137      compensation rate, the Employers' Reinsurance Fund shall pay all remaining permanent total
             138      disability compensation.
             139          (e) Employers' Reinsurance Fund payments shall commence immediately after the
             140      employer or its insurance carrier satisfies its liability under this Subsection (3) or Section
             141      34A-2-703 .


             142          (4) This Subsection (4) applies to claims resulting from an accident or disease arising
             143      out of and in the course of the employee's employment on or after July 1, 1994.
             144          (a) The employer or its insurance carrier is liable for permanent total disability
             145      compensation.
             146          (b) The employer or its insurance carrier may not be required to pay compensation for
             147      any combination of disabilities of any kind, as provided in this section and Sections
             148      34A-2-410 through 34A-2-412 and Part 5, Industrial Noise, in excess of the amount of
             149      compensation payable over the initial 312 weeks at the applicable permanent total disability
             150      compensation rate under Subsection (2).
             151          (c) The employer or its insurance carrier may recoup the overpayment of compensation
             152      described in Subsection (4) by reasonably offsetting the overpayment against future liability
             153      paid before or after the initial 312 weeks.
             154          (5) (a) Subject to Subsection (5)(b) and notwithstanding the minimum rate established
             155      in Subsection (2), an employer, its insurance carrier, or the Employers' Reinsurance Fund,
             156      after an employee receives compensation from the employer or the employer's insurance
             157      carrier for any combination of disabilities amounting to 312 weeks of compensation at the
             158      applicable total disability compensation rate, shall reduce the compensation payable:
             159          (i) to the extent allowable by law;
             160          (ii) by the dollar amount of 50% of the Social Security retirement benefits the
             161      employee is eligible to receive for a four week period as of the first day the employee is
             162      eligible to receive a Social Security retirement benefit; and
             163          (iii) that the employee receives during the same period as the Social Security
             164      retirement benefits.
             165          (b) (i) An employer, its insurance carrier, or the Employers' Reinsurance Fund may not
             166      reduce compensation payable under this section on or after May 5, 2008, to an employee by an
             167      amount related to a cost-of-living increase to the Social Security retirement benefit that the
             168      employee is first eligible to receive for a four week period, notwithstanding whether the
             169      employee is injured on or before May 4, 2008.


             170          (ii) For purposes of an employee whose compensation payable is reduced under this
             171      Subsection (5) on or before May 4, 2008, the reduction is limited to the amount of the
             172      reduction as of May 4, 2008.
             173          (6) (a) A finding by the commission of permanent total disability is not final, unless
             174      otherwise agreed to by the parties, until:
             175          (i) an administrative law judge reviews a summary of reemployment activities
             176      undertaken pursuant to Chapter [8] 8a, Utah Injured Worker Reemployment Act;
             177          (ii) the employer or its insurance carrier submits to the administrative law judge:
             178          (A) a reemployment plan as prepared by a qualified rehabilitation provider reasonably
             179      designed to return the employee to gainful employment; or
             180          (B) notice that the employer or its insurance carrier will not submit a plan; and
             181          (iii) the administrative law judge, after notice to the parties, holds a hearing, unless
             182      otherwise stipulated, to:
             183          (A) consider evidence regarding rehabilitation; and
             184          (B) review any reemployment plan submitted by the employer or its insurance carrier
             185      under Subsection (6)(a)(ii).
             186          (b) Before commencing the procedure required by Subsection (6)(a), the
             187      administrative law judge shall order:
             188          (i) the initiation of permanent total disability compensation payments to provide for
             189      the employee's subsistence; and
             190          (ii) the payment of any undisputed disability or medical benefits due the employee.
             191          (c) Notwithstanding Subsection (6)(a), an order for payment of benefits described in
             192      Subsection (6)(b) is considered a final order for purposes of Section 34A-2-212 .
             193          (d) The employer or its insurance carrier shall be given credit for any disability
             194      payments made under Subsection (6)(b) against its ultimate disability compensation liability
             195      under this chapter or Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act.
             196          (e) An employer or its insurance carrier may not be ordered to submit a reemployment
             197      plan. If the employer or its insurance carrier voluntarily submits a plan, the plan is subject to


             198      Subsections (6)(e)(i) through (iii).
             199          (i) The plan may include, but not require an employee to pay for:
             200          (A) retraining;
             201          (B) education;
             202          (C) medical and disability compensation benefits;
             203          (D) job placement services; or
             204          (E) incentives calculated to facilitate reemployment.
             205          (ii) The plan shall include payment of reasonable disability compensation to provide
             206      for the employee's subsistence during the rehabilitation process.
             207          (iii) The employer or its insurance carrier shall diligently pursue the reemployment
             208      plan. The employer's or insurance carrier's failure to diligently pursue the reemployment plan
             209      is cause for the administrative law judge on the administrative law judge's own motion to
             210      make a final decision of permanent total disability.
             211          (f) If a preponderance of the evidence shows that successful rehabilitation is not
             212      possible, the administrative law judge shall order that the employee be paid weekly permanent
             213      total disability compensation benefits.
             214          (g) If a preponderance of the evidence shows that pursuant to a reemployment plan, as
             215      prepared by a qualified rehabilitation provider and presented under Subsection (6)(e), an
             216      employee could immediately or without unreasonable delay return to work but for the
             217      following, an administrative law judge shall order that the employee be denied the payment of
             218      weekly permanent total disability compensation benefits:
             219          (i) incarceration in a facility operated by or contracting with a federal, state, county, or
             220      municipal government to house a criminal offender in either a secure or nonsecure setting; or
             221          (ii) not being legally eligible to be employed because of a reason unrelated to the
             222      impairment or combination of impairments.
             223          (7) (a) The period of benefits commences on the date the employee became
             224      permanently totally disabled, as determined by a final order of the commission based on the
             225      facts and evidence, and ends:


             226          (i) with the death of the employee; or
             227          (ii) when the employee is capable of returning to regular, steady work.
             228          (b) An employer or its insurance carrier may provide or locate for a permanently
             229      totally disabled employee reasonable, medically appropriate, part-time work in a job earning at
             230      least minimum wage, except that the employee may not be required to accept the work to the
             231      extent that it would disqualify the employee from Social Security disability benefits.
             232          (c) An employee shall:
             233          (i) fully cooperate in the placement and employment process; and
             234          (ii) accept the reasonable, medically appropriate, part-time work.
             235          (d) In a consecutive four-week period when an employee's gross income from the work
             236      provided under Subsection (7)(b) exceeds $500, the employer or insurance carrier may reduce
             237      the employee's permanent total disability compensation by 50% of the employee's income in
             238      excess of $500.
             239          (e) If a work opportunity is not provided by the employer or its insurance carrier, a
             240      permanently totally disabled employee may obtain medically appropriate, part-time work
             241      subject to the offset provisions of Subsection (7)(d).
             242          (f) (i) The commission shall establish rules regarding the part-time work and offset.
             243          (ii) The adjudication of disputes arising under this Subsection (7) is governed by Part
             244      8, Adjudication.
             245          (g) The employer or its insurance carrier has the burden of proof to show that
             246      medically appropriate part-time work is available.
             247          (h) The administrative law judge may:
             248          (i) excuse an employee from participation in any work:
             249          (A) that would require the employee to undertake work exceeding the employee's:
             250          (I) medical capacity; or
             251          (II) residual functional capacity; or
             252          (B) for good cause; or
             253          (ii) allow the employer or its insurance carrier to reduce permanent total disability


             254      benefits as provided in Subsection (7)(d) when reasonable, medically appropriate, part-time
             255      work is offered, but the employee fails to fully cooperate.
             256          (8) When an employee is rehabilitated or the employee's rehabilitation is possible but
             257      the employee has some loss of bodily function, the award shall be for permanent partial
             258      disability.
             259          (9) As determined by an administrative law judge, an employee is not entitled to
             260      disability compensation, unless the employee fully cooperates with any evaluation or
             261      reemployment plan under this chapter or Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act. The
             262      administrative law judge shall dismiss without prejudice the claim for benefits of an employee
             263      if the administrative law judge finds that the employee fails to fully cooperate, unless the
             264      administrative law judge states specific findings on the record justifying dismissal with
             265      prejudice.
             266          (10) (a) The loss or permanent and complete loss of the use of the following
             267      constitutes total and permanent disability that is compensated according to this section:
             268          (i) both hands;
             269          (ii) both arms;
             270          (iii) both feet;
             271          (iv) both legs;
             272          (v) both eyes; or
             273          (vi) any combination of two body members described in this Subsection (10)(a).
             274          (b) A finding of permanent total disability pursuant to Subsection (10)(a) is final.
             275          (11) (a) An insurer or self-insured employer may periodically reexamine a permanent
             276      total disability claim, except those based on Subsection (10), for which the insurer or
             277      self-insured employer had or has payment responsibility to determine whether the employee
             278      remains permanently totally disabled.
             279          (b) Reexamination may be conducted no more than once every three years after an
             280      award is final, unless good cause is shown by the employer or its insurance carrier to allow
             281      more frequent reexaminations.


             282          (c) The reexamination may include:
             283          (i) the review of medical records;
             284          (ii) employee submission to one or more reasonable medical evaluations;
             285          (iii) employee submission to one or more reasonable rehabilitation evaluations and
             286      retraining efforts;
             287          (iv) employee disclosure of Federal Income Tax Returns;
             288          (v) employee certification of compliance with Section 34A-2-110 ; and
             289          (vi) employee completion of one or more sworn affidavits or questionnaires approved
             290      by the division.
             291          (d) The insurer or self-insured employer shall pay for the cost of a reexamination with
             292      appropriate employee reimbursement pursuant to rule for reasonable travel allowance and per
             293      diem as well as reasonable expert witness fees incurred by the employee in supporting the
             294      employee's claim for permanent total disability benefits at the time of reexamination.
             295          (e) If an employee fails to fully cooperate in the reasonable reexamination of a
             296      permanent total disability finding, an administrative law judge may order the suspension of the
             297      employee's permanent total disability benefits until the employee cooperates with the
             298      reexamination.
             299          (f) (i) If the reexamination of a permanent total disability finding reveals evidence that
             300      reasonably raises the issue of an employee's continued entitlement to permanent total disability
             301      compensation benefits, an insurer or self-insured employer may petition the Division of
             302      Adjudication for a rehearing on that issue. The insurer or self-insured employer shall include
             303      with the petition, documentation supporting the insurer's or self-insured employer's belief that
             304      the employee is no longer permanently totally disabled.
             305          (ii) If the petition under Subsection (11)(f)(i) demonstrates good cause, as determined
             306      by the Division of Adjudication, an administrative law judge shall adjudicate the issue at a
             307      hearing.
             308          (iii) Evidence of an employee's participation in medically appropriate, part-time work
             309      may not be the sole basis for termination of an employee's permanent total disability


             310      entitlement, but the evidence of the employee's participation in medically appropriate,
             311      part-time work under Subsection (7) may be considered in the reexamination or hearing with
             312      other evidence relating to the employee's status and condition.
             313          (g) In accordance with Section 34A-1-309 , the administrative law judge may award
             314      reasonable attorney fees to an attorney retained by an employee to represent the employee's
             315      interests with respect to reexamination of the permanent total disability finding, except if the
             316      employee does not prevail, the attorney fees shall be set at $1,000. The attorney fees awarded
             317      shall be paid by the employer or its insurance carrier in addition to the permanent total
             318      disability compensation benefits due.
             319          (h) During the period of reexamination or adjudication, if the employee fully
             320      cooperates, each insurer, self-insured employer, or the Employers' Reinsurance Fund shall
             321      continue to pay the permanent total disability compensation benefits due the employee.
             322          (12) If any provision of this section, or the application of any provision to any person
             323      or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of this section is given effect without the
             324      invalid provision or application.
             325          Section 2. Section 34A-3-102 is amended to read:
             326           34A-3-102. Chapter to be administered by commission -- Exclusive remedy.
             327          (1) [This chapter shall be administered by the] The commission shall administer this
             328      chapter through the division, the Division of Adjudication, and the Appeals Board in
             329      accordance with Section 34A-2-112 .
             330          (2) Subject to the limitations provided in this chapter and, unless otherwise noted, all
             331      provisions of Chapter 2, Workers' Compensation Act, and Chapter [8] 8a, Utah Injured
             332      Worker Reemployment Act, are incorporated into this chapter and shall be applied to
             333      occupational disease claims.
             334          (3) The right to recover compensation under this chapter for diseases or injuries to
             335      health sustained by a Utah employee [shall be] is the exclusive remedy as outlined in Section
             336      34A-2-105 .
             337          Section 3. Section 34A-8a-101 , which is renumbered from Section 34A-8-102 is


             338      renumbered and amended to read:
             339     
CHAPTER 8a. UTAH INJURED WORKER REEMPLOYMENT ACT

             340     
Part 1. General Provisions

             341           [34A-8-102].     34A-8a-101. Title -- Intent statement.
             342          (1) This chapter is known as the "Utah Injured Worker Reemployment Act."
             343          (2) This chapter is intended to promote and monitor the state's and the employer's
             344      capacity to assist the injured worker in returning to the work force [as quickly as possible and
             345      to evaluate the cost] by evaluating the effectiveness of the [program] voluntary efforts of
             346      employers under this chapter.
             347          Section 4. Section 34A-8a-102 , which is renumbered from Section 34A-8-104 is
             348      renumbered and amended to read:
             349           [34A-8-104].     34A-8a-102. Definitions.
             350          (1) "Disabled injured worker" means an [employee] injured worker who:
             351          [(a) has sustained an industrial injury or occupational disease for which benefits are
             352      provided under Chapter 2, Workers' Compensation Act, or Chapter 3, Utah Occupational
             353      Disease Act;]
             354          [(b)] (a) because of the injury or disease[;] that is the basis of the employee being an
             355      injured worker:
             356          (i) is or will be unable to return to work in the injured worker's usual and customary
             357      occupation; or
             358          (ii) is unable to perform work for which the injured worker has previous training and
             359      experience; and
             360          [(c)] (b) reasonably can be expected to attain gainful employment after [receiving the
             361      reemployment training and benefits] an evaluation provided for in accordance with this
             362      chapter.
             363          (2) "Division" means the Division of Industrial Accidents.
             364          (3) (a) "Gainful employment" means employment that:
             365          (i) is reasonably attainable in view of [the] an industrial injury or occupational


             366      disease; and
             367          (ii) offers to [the] an injured worker, as reasonably feasible, an opportunity for
             368      earnings.
             369          (b) Factors [to be] considered in determining gainful employment include [the] an
             370      injured worker's:
             371          (i) education;
             372          (ii) experience; and
             373          (iii) physical and mental impairment and condition.
             374          (4) "Initial written report" means a report required under Section 34A-8a-301 .
             375          (5) "Injured worker" means an employee who sustains an industrial injury or
             376      occupational disease for which benefits are provided under Chapter 2, Workers' Compensation
             377      Act, or Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act.
             378          [(4)] (6) "Parties" means:
             379          (a) [the] a disabled injured worker;
             380          (b) the employer of the disabled injured worker;
             381          (c) the employer's workers' compensation insurance carrier; and
             382          [(d) reemployment coordinator; and]
             383          [(e) other professionals as deemed necessary by the commission.]
             384          (d) a rehabilitation or reemployment professional for the employer or the employer's
             385      workers' compensation insurance carrier.
             386          [(5)] (7) "Reemployment plan" means [the] a written:
             387          (a) description or rationale for the manner and means by which it is proposed a
             388      disabled injured worker may [be returned] return to gainful employment[. The reemployment
             389      plan shall define]; and
             390          (b) definition of the voluntary responsibilities of:
             391          (i) the disabled injured worker[,];
             392          (ii) the employer[,]; and
             393          (iii) one or more other parties involved with the implementation of the reemployment


             394      plan.
             395          Section 5. Section 34A-8a-104 , which is renumbered from Section 34A-8-113 is
             396      renumbered and amended to read:
             397           [34A-8-113].     34A-8a-104. Application.
             398          This chapter [is effective July 1, 1990, and it] applies only to an industrial [injuries
             399      and] injury or occupational [diseases which occur] disease that occurs on or after [that date]
             400      July 1, 1990.
             401          Section 6. Section 34A-8a-105 , which is renumbered from Section 34A-8-110 is
             402      renumbered and amended to read:
             403           [34A-8-110].     34A-8a-105. Duties of Utah State Office of Rehabilitation
             404      not affected.
             405          [The provisions of this chapter do not affect other] This chapter does not affect the
             406      duties and responsibilities of the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation.
             407          Section 7. Section 34A-8a-201 , which is renumbered from Section 34A-8-103 is
             408      renumbered and amended to read:
             409     
Part 2. Administration

             410           [34A-8-103].     34A-8a-201. Chapter administration.
             411          [This chapter shall be administered by the commission]
             412          The commission shall administer this chapter:
             413          (1) through the division; and
             414          (2) in conjunction with [its] the commission's administration of [Chapters] Chapter 2,
             415      Workers' Compensation Act, and Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act.
             416          Section 8. Section 34A-8a-202 , which is renumbered from Section 34A-8-111 is
             417      renumbered and amended to read:
             418           [34A-8-111].     34A-8a-202. Rulemaking authority.
             419          The commission may provide for the administration of this chapter by rule in
             420      accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
             421          Section 9. Section 34A-8a-203 is enacted to read:


             422          34A-8a-203. Reporting.
             423          (1) As used in this section, "reporting entity" means one of the following that provides
             424      benefits under Chapter 2, Workers' Compensation Act, or Chapter 3, Utah Occupational
             425      Disease Act:
             426          (a) a self-insured employer as defined in Section 34A-2-201.5 ; or
             427          (b) a workers' compensation insurance carrier.
             428          (2) Subject to the requirements of this section, a reporting entity shall quarterly report
             429      to the commission the following information for the previous quarter beginning with reporting
             430      for the quarter that begins July 1, 2009:
             431          (a) the total number of injured workers for whom a reporting entity is required during
             432      the quarter to file an initial report under Section 34A-8a-301 ;
             433          (b) the number of injured workers reported in Subsection (2)(a) for whom the
             434      reporting entity made a referral in accordance with Section 34A-8a-302 ;
             435          (c) the number of injured workers reported in Subsection (2)(a) for whom the
             436      reporting entity did not make a referral in accordance with Section 34A-8a-302 because:
             437          (i) the injured worker was not medically stable during the quarter;
             438          (ii) the injured worker's physical capacity had not been determined during the quarter;
             439      or
             440          (iii) liability for the injured worker's claim was under review during the quarter;
             441          (d) the number of injured workers reported in Subsection (2)(a) for whom a referral or
             442      reemployment plan described in Section 34A-8a-302 was not necessary because:
             443          (i) the injured worker returned to work in the same job, a new job, or a modified job:
             444          (A) with the same employer; or
             445          (B) a new employer;
             446          (ii) the injured worker became self-employed;
             447          (iii) the injured worker returned to work as a result of vocational rehabilitation support
             448      services, as defined by rule by the commission made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3,
             449      Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act; or


             450          (iv) the injured worker's disability was too severe to return to work; and
             451          (e) other information that the commission requires by rule, made in accordance with
             452      Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, regarding the voluntary efforts of
             453      employers under this chapter for the number of injured workers reported in Subsection (2)(a).
             454          (3) In addition to the rulemaking authority under Subsection (2), the commission shall
             455      make rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act,
             456      regarding:
             457          (a) the form of a report required under this section; and
             458          (b) the procedure for filing a report required under this section.
             459          (4) (a) If a reporting entity fails to make a report as required by this section, the
             460      commission shall, pursuant to Title 63G, Chapter 4, Administrative Procedures Act, impose a
             461      civil assessment of up to $500 for each quarter that a reporting entity fails to make a report.
             462          (b) A civil assessment collected under this section shall be deposited in the Uninsured
             463      Employers' Fund.
             464          Section 10. Section 34A-8a-204 , which is renumbered from Section 34A-8-112 is
             465      renumbered and amended to read:
             466           [34A-8-112].     34A-8a-204. Administrative review.
             467          [The] An employer [and the] or an injured worker may apply to the Division of
             468      Adjudication for resolution of [any] an issue of law or fact arising under this chapter in
             469      accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 4, Administrative Procedures Act.
             470          Section 11. Section 34A-8a-301 , which is renumbered from Section 34A-8-106 is
             471      renumbered and amended to read:
             472     
Part 3. Rehabilitation Process

             473           [34A-8-106].     34A-8a-301. Initial report on injured worker.
             474          [When it appears that an injured worker is or will be a disabled injured worker, or
             475      when the period of the injured worker's temporary total disability compensation period
             476      exceeds 90 days, whichever comes first, the]
             477          (1) An employer or [its] the employer's workers' compensation insurance carrier shall[,


             478      within 30 days thereafter, file with the division and serve on the injured worker] prepare an
             479      initial written report assessing [the] an injured worker's need or lack of need for vocational
             480      assistance in reemployment[. The employer or] if:
             481          (a) it appears that the injured worker is or will be a disabled injured worker; or
             482          (b) the period of the injured worker's temporary total disability compensation period
             483      exceeds 90 days.
             484          (2) (a) Subject to Subsection (2)(b), an employer or the employer's workers'
             485      compensation insurance carrier shall:
             486          (i) serve the initial written report required by Subsection (1) on the injured worker;
             487      and
             488          (ii) file the initial written report required by Subsection (1) with the division.
             489          (b) An employer or the employer's workers' compensation insurance carrier shall
             490      comply with Subsection (2)(a) by no later than 30 days after the earlier of the day on which:
             491          (i) it appears that the injured worker is or will be a disabled injured worker; or
             492          (ii) the 90-day period described in Subsection (1)(b) ends.
             493          (3) With the initial written report required by Subsection (1), an employer or the
             494      employer's workers' compensation insurance carrier shall [also] provide [the] an injured
             495      worker information regarding reemployment.
             496          Section 12. Section 34A-8a-302 , which is renumbered from Section 34A-8-107 is
             497      renumbered and amended to read:
             498           [34A-8-107].     34A-8a-302. Evaluation of injured worker -- Reemployment
             499      plan.
             500          [When it appears that] (1) Subject to the other provisions of this section, if an injured
             501      worker is a disabled injured worker, the employer or [its] the employer's workers'
             502      compensation insurance carrier shall, within ten days [of receiving] after the day on which the
             503      employer or workers' compensation insurance carrier serves the initial written report[, unless
             504      otherwise authorized by the division] on the injured worker, refer the disabled injured worker
             505      to:


             506          (a) the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation; or[,]
             507          (b) at the employer's or workers' compensation insurance carrier's option [to], a private
             508      rehabilitation or reemployment service[, to provide an evaluation and to develop a
             509      reemployment plan].
             510          (2) An employer or the employer's workers' compensation insurance carrier shall make
             511      the referral required by Subsection (1) for the purpose of:
             512          (a) providing an evaluation; and
             513          (b) developing a reemployment plan.
             514          (3) The commission may authorize an employer or the employer's workers'
             515      compensation insurance carrier to:
             516          (a) not make a referral required by Subsection (1); or
             517          (b) make a referral during a different time period than required by Subsection (1).
             518          Section 13. Section 34A-8a-303 , which is renumbered from Section 34A-8-108 is
             519      renumbered and amended to read:
             520           [34A-8-108].     34A-8a-303. Reemployment objectives.
             521          (1) The commission through the division shall administer this chapter with the
             522      objective of assisting in returning [the] a disabled injured worker to gainful employment in the
             523      following order of employment priority:
             524          (a) same job, same employer;
             525          (b) modified job, same employer;
             526          (c) same job, new employer;
             527          (d) modified job, new employer;
             528          (e) new job, new employer; or
             529          (f) retraining in a new occupation.
             530          (2) Nothing in this chapter or its application is intended to:
             531          (a) modify or in any way affect [any] an existing employee-employer relationship; or
             532          (b) provide [any] an employee with [any] a guarantee or right to employment or
             533      continued employment with [any] an employer.


             534          Section 14. Section 34A-8a-304 , which is renumbered from Section 34A-8-109 is
             535      renumbered and amended to read:
             536           [34A-8-109].     34A-8a-304. Rehabilitation counselor.
             537          [All rehabilitation counselors and the reemployment coordinator] A rehabilitation
             538      counselor to whom a referral is made under Section 34A-8a-302 shall have the same or
             539      comparable qualifications as those established by the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation for
             540      personnel assigned to rehabilitation and evaluation duties.
             541          Section 15. Section 63I-1-234 is amended to read:
             542           63I-1-234. Repeal dates, Title 34A.
             543          (1) Section 34A-2-202.5 is repealed December 31, 2010.
             544          (2) Title 34A, Chapter [8] 8a, Utah Injured Worker Reemployment Act, is repealed
             545      July 1, [2009] 2014.
             546          Section 16. Repealer.
             547          This bill repeals:
             548          Section 34A-8-101, Title.
             549          Section 34A-8-105, Reemployment coordinator -- Duties.


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