H.B. 10

This document includes House Floor Amendments incorporated into the bill on Thu, Jan 30, 2014 at 12:50 PM by lerror. -->              1     

INJURED WORKER REEMPLOYMENT AMENDMENTS

             2     
2014 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: James A. Dunnigan

             5     
Senate Sponsor: Curtis S. Bramble

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      Committee Note:
             9          The Business and Labor Interim Committee recommended this bill.
             10      General Description:
             11          This bill amends the Workers' Compensation Act to address reemployment of injured
             12      workers and repeals the Utah Injured Worker Reemployment Act.
             13      Highlighted Provisions:
             14          This bill:
             15          .    defines terms;
             16          .    addresses the scope of section on injured worker reemployment;
             17          .    clarifies that the duties of the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation are not affected;
             18          .    authorizes rulemaking by the commission;
             19          .    addresses an initial written report;
             20          .    provides for the evaluation of an injured worker and the development of a
             21      reemployment plan;
             22          .    establishes reemployment objectives;
             23          .    imposes requirements on rehabilitation counselors;
             24          .    repeals the Utah Injured Worker Reemployment Act; and
             25          .    makes technical and conforming amendments.
             26      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             27          None


             28      Other Special Clauses:
             29          This bill provides an effective date.
             30      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             31      AMENDS:
             32           34A-2-413 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapters 297 and 366
             33           34A-3-102 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 158
             34           63A-3-501 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2013, Chapter 74
             35           63I-1-234 (Superseded 07/01/14), as last amended by Laws of Utah 2013, Chapters 54
             36      and 144
             37           63I-1-234 (Effective 07/01/14), as last amended by Laws of Utah 2013, Chapters 54,
             38      144, and 417
             39      ENACTS:
             40           34A-2-413.5 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             41      REPEALS:
             42           34A-8a-101 , as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 158
             43           34A-8a-102 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 366
             44           34A-8a-104 , as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 158
             45           34A-8a-105 , as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 158
             46           34A-8a-201 , as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 158
             47           34A-8a-202 , as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 158
             48           34A-8a-203 , as enacted by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 158 and last amended by
             49      Coordination Clause, Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 288
             50           34A-8a-204 , as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 158
             51           34A-8a-301 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 366
             52           34A-8a-302 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 366
             53           34A-8a-303 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 366
             54           34A-8a-304 , as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 158
             55     
             56      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             57          Section 1. Section 34A-2-413 is amended to read:
             58           34A-2-413. Permanent total disability -- Amount of payments -- Rehabilitation.


             59          (1) (a) In the case of a permanent total disability resulting from an industrial accident
             60      or occupational disease, the employee shall receive compensation as outlined in this section.
             61          (b) To establish entitlement to permanent total disability compensation, the employee
             62      shall prove by a preponderance of evidence that:
             63          (i) the employee sustained a significant impairment or combination of impairments as a
             64      result of the industrial accident or occupational disease that gives rise to the permanent total
             65      disability entitlement;
             66          (ii) the employee has a permanent, total disability; and
             67          (iii) the industrial accident or occupational disease is the direct cause of the employee's
             68      permanent total disability.
             69          (c) To establish that an employee has a permanent, total disability the employee shall
             70      prove by a preponderance of the evidence that:
             71          (i) the employee is not gainfully employed;
             72          (ii) the employee has an impairment or combination of impairments that limit the
             73      employee's ability to do basic work activities;
             74          (iii) the industrial or occupationally caused impairment or combination of impairments
             75      prevent the employee from performing the essential functions of the work activities for which
             76      the employee has been qualified until the time of the industrial accident or occupational disease
             77      that is the basis for the employee's permanent total disability claim; and
             78          (iv) the employee cannot perform other work reasonably available, taking into
             79      consideration the employee's:
             80          (A) age;
             81          (B) education;
             82          (C) past work experience;
             83          (D) medical capacity; and
             84          (E) residual functional capacity.
             85          (d) Evidence of an employee's entitlement to disability benefits other than those
             86      provided under this chapter and Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act, if relevant:
             87          (i) may be presented to the commission;
             88          (ii) is not binding; and
             89          (iii) creates no presumption of an entitlement under this chapter and Chapter 3, Utah


             90      Occupational Disease Act.
             91          (e) In determining under Subsections (1)(b) and (c) whether an employee cannot
             92      perform other work reasonably available, the following may not be considered:
             93          (i) whether the employee is incarcerated in a facility operated by or contracting with a
             94      federal, state, county, or municipal government to house a criminal offender in either a secure
             95      or nonsecure setting; or
             96          (ii) whether the employee is not legally eligible to be employed because of a reason
             97      unrelated to the impairment or combination of impairments.
             98          (2) For permanent total disability compensation during the initial 312-week
             99      entitlement, compensation is 66-2/3% of the employee's average weekly wage at the time of the
             100      injury, limited as follows:
             101          (a) compensation per week may not be more than 85% of the state average weekly
             102      wage at the time of the injury;
             103          (b) (i) subject to Subsection (2)(b)(ii), compensation per week may not be less than the
             104      sum of $45 per week and:
             105          (A) $5 for a dependent spouse; and
             106          (B) $5 for each dependent child under the age of 18 years, up to a maximum of four
             107      dependent minor children; and
             108          (ii) the amount calculated under Subsection (2)(b)(i) may not exceed:
             109          (A) the maximum established in Subsection (2)(a); or
             110          (B) the average weekly wage of the employee at the time of the injury; and
             111          (c) after the initial 312 weeks, the minimum weekly compensation rate under
             112      Subsection (2)(b) is 36% of the current state average weekly wage, rounded to the nearest
             113      dollar.
             114          (3) This Subsection (3) applies to claims resulting from an accident or disease arising
             115      out of and in the course of the employee's employment on or before June 30, 1994.
             116          (a) The employer or its insurance carrier is liable for the initial 312 weeks of permanent
             117      total disability compensation except as outlined in Section 34A-2-703 as in effect on the date
             118      of injury.
             119          (b) The employer or its insurance carrier may not be required to pay compensation for
             120      any combination of disabilities of any kind, as provided in this section and Sections 34A-2-410


             121      through 34A-2-412 and Part 5, Industrial Noise, in excess of the amount of compensation
             122      payable over the initial 312 weeks at the applicable permanent total disability compensation
             123      rate under Subsection (2).
             124          (c) The Employers' Reinsurance Fund shall for an overpayment of compensation
             125      described in Subsection (3)(b), reimburse the overpayment:
             126          (i) to the employer or its insurance carrier; and
             127          (ii) out of the Employers' Reinsurance Fund's liability to the employee.
             128          (d) After an employee receives compensation from the employee's employer, its
             129      insurance carrier, or the Employers' Reinsurance Fund for any combination of disabilities
             130      amounting to 312 weeks of compensation at the applicable permanent total disability
             131      compensation rate, the Employers' Reinsurance Fund shall pay all remaining permanent total
             132      disability compensation.
             133          (e) Employers' Reinsurance Fund payments shall commence immediately after the
             134      employer or its insurance carrier satisfies its liability under this Subsection (3) or Section
             135      34A-2-703 .
             136          (4) This Subsection (4) applies to claims resulting from an accident or disease arising
             137      out of and in the course of the employee's employment on or after July 1, 1994.
             138          (a) The employer or its insurance carrier is liable for permanent total disability
             139      compensation.
             140          (b) The employer or its insurance carrier may not be required to pay compensation for
             141      any combination of disabilities of any kind, as provided in this section and Sections 34A-2-410
             142      through 34A-2-412 and Part 5, Industrial Noise, in excess of the amount of compensation
             143      payable over the initial 312 weeks at the applicable permanent total disability compensation
             144      rate under Subsection (2).
             145          (c) The employer or its insurance carrier may recoup the overpayment of compensation
             146      described in Subsection (4) by reasonably offsetting the overpayment against future liability
             147      paid before or after the initial 312 weeks.
             148          (5) (a) A finding by the commission of permanent total disability is not final, unless
             149      otherwise agreed to by the parties, until:
             150          (i) an administrative law judge reviews a summary of reemployment activities
             151      undertaken pursuant to [Chapter 8a, Utah Injured Worker Reemployment Act] Section


             152      34A-2-413.5 ;
             153          (ii) the employer or its insurance carrier submits to the administrative law judge:
             154          (A) a reemployment plan as prepared by a qualified rehabilitation provider reasonably
             155      designed to return the employee to gainful employment; or
             156          (B) notice that the employer or its insurance carrier will not submit a plan; and
             157          (iii) the administrative law judge, after notice to the parties, holds a hearing, unless
             158      otherwise stipulated, to:
             159          (A) consider evidence regarding rehabilitation; and
             160          (B) review any reemployment plan submitted by the employer or its insurance carrier
             161      under Subsection (5)(a)(ii).
             162          (b) Before commencing the procedure required by Subsection (5)(a), the administrative
             163      law judge shall order:
             164          (i) the initiation of permanent total disability compensation payments to provide for the
             165      employee's subsistence; and
             166          (ii) the payment of any undisputed disability or medical benefits due the employee.
             167          (c) Notwithstanding Subsection (5)(a), an order for payment of benefits described in
             168      Subsection (5)(b) is considered a final order for purposes of Section 34A-2-212 .
             169          (d) The employer or its insurance carrier shall be given credit for any disability
             170      payments made under Subsection (5)(b) against its ultimate disability compensation liability
             171      under this chapter or Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act.
             172          (e) An employer or its insurance carrier may not be ordered to submit a reemployment
             173      plan. If the employer or its insurance carrier voluntarily submits a plan, the plan is subject to
             174      Subsections (5)(e)(i) through (iii).
             175          (i) The plan may include, but not require an employee to pay for:
             176          (A) retraining;
             177          (B) education;
             178          (C) medical and disability compensation benefits;
             179          (D) job placement services; or
             180          (E) incentives calculated to facilitate reemployment.
             181          (ii) The plan shall include payment of reasonable disability compensation to provide
             182      for the employee's subsistence during the rehabilitation process.


             183          (iii) The employer or its insurance carrier shall diligently pursue the reemployment
             184      plan. The employer's or insurance carrier's failure to diligently pursue the reemployment plan
             185      is cause for the administrative law judge on the administrative law judge's own motion to make
             186      a final decision of permanent total disability.
             187          (f) If a preponderance of the evidence shows that successful rehabilitation is not
             188      possible, the administrative law judge shall order that the employee be paid weekly permanent
             189      total disability compensation benefits.
             190          (g) If a preponderance of the evidence shows that pursuant to a reemployment plan, as
             191      prepared by a qualified rehabilitation provider and presented under Subsection (5)(e), an
             192      employee could immediately or without unreasonable delay return to work but for the
             193      following, an administrative law judge shall order that the employee be denied the payment of
             194      weekly permanent total disability compensation benefits:
             195          (i) incarceration in a facility operated by or contracting with a federal, state, county, or
             196      municipal government to house a criminal offender in either a secure or nonsecure setting; or
             197          (ii) not being legally eligible to be employed because of a reason unrelated to the
             198      impairment or combination of impairments.
             199          (6) (a) The period of benefits commences on the date the employee acquired the
             200      permanent, total disability, as determined by a final order of the commission based on the facts
             201      and evidence, and ends:
             202          (i) with the death of the employee; or
             203          (ii) when the employee is capable of returning to regular, steady work.
             204          (b) An employer or its insurance carrier may provide or locate for a permanently totally
             205      disabled employee reasonable, medically appropriate, part-time work in a job earning at least
             206      minimum wage, except that the employee may not be required to accept the work to the extent
             207      that it would disqualify the employee from Social Security disability benefits.
             208          (c) An employee shall:
             209          (i) fully cooperate in the placement and employment process; and
             210          (ii) accept the reasonable, medically appropriate, part-time work.
             211          (d) In a consecutive four-week period when an employee's gross income from the work
             212      provided under Subsection (6)(b) exceeds $500, the employer or insurance carrier may reduce
             213      the employee's permanent total disability compensation by 50% of the employee's income in


             214      excess of $500.
             215          (e) If a work opportunity is not provided by the employer or its insurance carrier, an
             216      employee with a permanent, total disability may obtain medically appropriate, part-time work
             217      subject to the offset provisions of Subsection (6)(d).
             218          (f) (i) The commission shall establish rules regarding the part-time work and offset.
             219          (ii) The adjudication of disputes arising under this Subsection (6) is governed by Part
             220      8, Adjudication.
             221          (g) The employer or its insurance carrier has the burden of proof to show that
             222      medically appropriate part-time work is available.
             223          (h) The administrative law judge may:
             224          (i) excuse an employee from participation in any work:
             225          (A) that would require the employee to undertake work exceeding the employee's:
             226          (I) medical capacity; or
             227          (II) residual functional capacity; or
             228          (B) for good cause; or
             229          (ii) allow the employer or its insurance carrier to reduce permanent total disability
             230      benefits as provided in Subsection (6)(d) when reasonable, medically appropriate, part-time
             231      work is offered, but the employee fails to fully cooperate.
             232          (7) When an employee is rehabilitated or the employee's rehabilitation is possible but
             233      the employee has some loss of bodily function, the award shall be for permanent partial
             234      disability.
             235          (8) As determined by an administrative law judge, an employee is not entitled to
             236      disability compensation, unless the employee fully cooperates with any evaluation or
             237      reemployment plan under this chapter or Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act. The
             238      administrative law judge shall dismiss without prejudice the claim for benefits of an employee
             239      if the administrative law judge finds that the employee fails to fully cooperate, unless the
             240      administrative law judge states specific findings on the record justifying dismissal with
             241      prejudice.
             242          (9) (a) The loss or permanent and complete loss of the use of the following constitutes
             243      total and permanent disability that is compensated according to this section:
             244          (i) both hands;


             245          (ii) both arms;
             246          (iii) both feet;
             247          (iv) both legs;
             248          (v) both eyes; or
             249          (vi) any combination of two body members described in this Subsection (9)(a).
             250          (b) A finding of permanent total disability pursuant to Subsection (9)(a) is final.
             251          (10) (a) An insurer or self-insured employer may periodically reexamine a permanent
             252      total disability claim, except those based on Subsection (9), for which the insurer or
             253      self-insured employer had or has payment responsibility to determine whether the employee
             254      continues to have a permanent, total disability.
             255          (b) Reexamination may be conducted no more than once every three years after an
             256      award is final, unless good cause is shown by the employer or its insurance carrier to allow
             257      more frequent reexaminations.
             258          (c) The reexamination may include:
             259          (i) the review of medical records;
             260          (ii) employee submission to one or more reasonable medical evaluations;
             261          (iii) employee submission to one or more reasonable rehabilitation evaluations and
             262      retraining efforts;
             263          (iv) employee disclosure of Federal Income Tax Returns;
             264          (v) employee certification of compliance with Section 34A-2-110 ; and
             265          (vi) employee completion of one or more sworn affidavits or questionnaires approved
             266      by the division.
             267          (d) The insurer or self-insured employer shall pay for the cost of a reexamination with
             268      appropriate employee reimbursement pursuant to rule for reasonable travel allowance and per
             269      diem as well as reasonable expert witness fees incurred by the employee in supporting the
             270      employee's claim for permanent total disability benefits at the time of reexamination.
             271          (e) If an employee fails to fully cooperate in the reasonable reexamination of a
             272      permanent total disability finding, an administrative law judge may order the suspension of the
             273      employee's permanent total disability benefits until the employee cooperates with the
             274      reexamination.
             275          (f) (i) If the reexamination of a permanent total disability finding reveals evidence that


             276      reasonably raises the issue of an employee's continued entitlement to permanent total disability
             277      compensation benefits, an insurer or self-insured employer may petition the Division of
             278      Adjudication for a rehearing on that issue. The insurer or self-insured employer shall include
             279      with the petition, documentation supporting the insurer's or self-insured employer's belief that
             280      the employee no longer has a permanent, total disability.
             281          (ii) If the petition under Subsection (10)(f)(i) demonstrates good cause, as determined
             282      by the Division of Adjudication, an administrative law judge shall adjudicate the issue at a
             283      hearing.
             284          (iii) Evidence of an employee's participation in medically appropriate, part-time work
             285      may not be the sole basis for termination of an employee's permanent total disability
             286      entitlement, but the evidence of the employee's participation in medically appropriate, part-time
             287      work under Subsection (6) may be considered in the reexamination or hearing with other
             288      evidence relating to the employee's status and condition.
             289          (g) In accordance with Section 34A-1-309 , the administrative law judge may award
             290      reasonable attorney fees to an attorney retained by an employee to represent the employee's
             291      interests with respect to reexamination of the permanent total disability finding, except if the
             292      employee does not prevail, the attorney fees shall be set at $1,000. The attorney fees awarded
             293      shall be paid by the employer or its insurance carrier in addition to the permanent total
             294      disability compensation benefits due.
             295          (h) During the period of reexamination or adjudication, if the employee fully
             296      cooperates, each insurer, self-insured employer, or the Employers' Reinsurance Fund shall
             297      continue to pay the permanent total disability compensation benefits due the employee.
             298          (11) If any provision of this section, or the application of any provision to any person
             299      or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of this section is given effect without the invalid
             300      provision or application.
             301          Section 2. Section 34A-2-413.5 is enacted to read:
             302          34A-2-413.5. Injured worker reemployment.
             303          (1) As used in this section:
             304          (a) (i) "Gainful employment" means employment that:
             305          (A) is reasonably attainable in view of an industrial injury or occupational disease; and
             306          (B) offers to an injured worker, as reasonably feasible, an opportunity for earnings.


             307          (ii) Factors considered in determining gainful employment include an injured worker's:
             308          (A) education;
             309          (B) experience; and
             310          (C) physical and mental impairment and condition.
             311          (b) "Initial written report" means a report H. [ required under ] described in .H
             311a      Subsection (5).
             312          (c) "Injured worker" means an employee who sustains an industrial injury or
             313      occupational disease for which benefits are provided under this chapter or Chapter 3, Utah
             314      Occupational Disease Act.
             315          (d) "Injured worker with a disability" means an injured worker who:
             316          (i) because of the injury or disease that is the basis of the employee being an injured
             317      worker:
             318          (A) is or will be unable to return to work in the injured worker's usual and customary
             319      occupation; or
             320          (B) is unable to perform work for which the injured worker has previous training and
             321      experience; and
             322          (ii) reasonably can be expected to attain gainful employment after an evaluation
             323      provided for in accordance with this section.
             324          (e) "Parties" means:
             325          (i) an injured worker with a disability;
             326          (ii) the employer of the injured worker with a disability;
             327          (iii) the employer's workers' compensation insurance carrier; and
             328          (iv) a rehabilitation or reemployment professional for the employer or the employer's
             329      workers' compensation insurance carrier.
             330          (f) "Reemployment plan" means a written:
             331          (i) description or rationale for the manner and means by which it is proposed an injured
             332      worker with a disability may return to gainful employment; and
             333          (ii) definition of the voluntary responsibilities of:
             334          (A) the injured worker with a disability;
             335          (B) the employer; and
             336          (C) one or more other parties involved with the implementation of the reemployment
             337      plan.


             338          (2) H. (a) .H This section applies only to an industrial injury or occupational
             338a      disease that occurs
             339      on or after July 1, 1990.
             339a           H. (b) This section is intended to promote and monitor the state's and the employer's
             339b      capacity to assist the injured worker in returning to the workforce by evaluating the
             339c      effectiveness of the voluntary efforts of employers under this section. .H
             340          (3) This section does not affect the duties of the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation.
             341          (4) The commission may provide for the administration of this section by rule in
             342      accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
             343          (5) An employer or the employer's workers' compensation insurance carrier
             343a      H. [ shall ] may voluntarily .H
             344      prepare an initial written report assessing an injured worker's need or lack of need for
             345      vocational assistance in reemployment if:
             346          (a) it appears that the injured worker is or will be an injured worker with a disability; or
             347          (b) the period of the injured worker's temporary total disability compensation period
             348      exceeds 90 days.
             349          (6) (a) Subject to Subsection (6)(b), an employer or the employer's workers'
             350      compensation insurance carrier H. [ shall ] may .H serve the initial written report H. , if one
             350a      has been prepared, .H on the injured worker.
             351          (b) H. [ An ] If an employer or the employer's workers' compensation insurance carrier
             351a      serves an initial written report on an injured worker, the .H employer or the employer's
             351b      workers' compensation insurance carrier shall
             352      comply with Subsection (6)(a) by no later than 30 days after the earlier of the day on which:
             353          (i) it appears that the injured worker is or will be an injured worker with a disability; or
             354          (ii) the 90-day period described in Subsection (5)(b) ends.
             355          (7) With the initial written report, H. if one is prepared and used in the determination
             355a      process, .H an employer or the employer's workers'
             356      compensation insurance carrier shall provide an injured worker information regarding
             357      reemployment.
             358          (8) Subject to the other provisions of this section, if an injured worker is an injured
             359      worker with a disability, the employer or the employer's workers' compensation insurance
             360      carrier H. [ shall ] may .H , within 10 days after the day on which the employer or workers'
             360a      compensation
             361      insurance carrier serves the initial written report on the injured worker, refer the injured worker


             362      with a disability to:
             363          (a) the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation; or
             364          (b) at the employer's or workers' compensation insurance carrier's option, a private
             365      rehabilitation or reemployment service.
             366          (9) An employer or the employer's workers' compensation insurance carrier shall make
             367      the referral required by Subsection (8) for the purpose of:
             368          (a) providing an evaluation; and


             369          (b) developing a reemployment plan.
             370          (10) The objective of reemployment is to return an injured worker with a disability to
             371      gainful employment in the following order of employment priority:
             372          (a) same job, same employer;
             373          (b) modified job, same employer;
             374          (c) same job, new employer;
             375          (d) modified job, new employer;
             376          (e) new job, new employer; or
             377          (f) retraining in a new occupation.
             378          (11) Nothing in this section or its application is intended to:
             379          (a) modify or in any way affect an existing employee-employer relationship; or
             380          (b) provide an employee with a guarantee or right to employment or continued
             381      employment with an employer.
             382          (12) A rehabilitation counselor to whom a referral is made under Subsection (8) shall
             383      have the same or comparable qualifications as those established by the Utah State Office of
             384      Rehabilitation for personnel assigned to rehabilitation and evaluation duties.
             385          Section 3. Section 34A-3-102 is amended to read:
             386           34A-3-102. Chapter to be administered by commission -- Exclusive remedy.
             387          (1) The commission shall administer this chapter through the division, the Division of
             388      Adjudication, and the Appeals Board in accordance with Section 34A-2-112 .
             389          (2) Subject to the limitations provided in this chapter and, unless otherwise noted, all
             390      provisions of Chapter 2, Workers' Compensation Act, [and Chapter 8a, Utah Injured Worker
             391      Reemployment Act,] are incorporated into this chapter and shall be applied to occupational
             392      disease claims.
             393          (3) The right to recover compensation under this chapter for diseases or injuries to
             394      health sustained by a Utah employee is the exclusive remedy as outlined in Section 34A-2-105 .
             395          Section 4. Section 63A-3-501 is amended to read:
             396           63A-3-501. Definitions.
             397          As used in this part:
             398          (1) (a) "Accounts receivable" or "receivables" means any amount due to a state agency
             399      from an entity for which payment has not been received by the state agency that is servicing the


             400      debt.
             401          (b) "Accounts receivable" includes unpaid fees, licenses, taxes, loans, overpayments,
             402      fines, forfeitures, surcharges, costs, contracts, interest, penalties, restitution to victims,
             403      third-party claims, sale of goods, sale of services, claims, and damages.
             404          (2) "Administrative offset" means:
             405          (a) a reduction of an individual's tax refund or other payments due to the individual to
             406      reduce or eliminate accounts receivable that the individual owes to a state agency; and
             407          (b) a reduction of an entity's tax refund or other payments due to the entity to reduce or
             408      eliminate accounts receivable that the entity owes to a state agency.
             409          (3) "Entity" means an individual, a corporation, partnership, or other organization that
             410      pays taxes to or does business with the state.
             411          (4) "Office" means the Office of State Debt Collection established by this part.
             412          (5) "Past due" means any accounts receivable that the state has not received by the
             413      payment due date.
             414          (6) "Restitution to victims" means restitution ordered by a court to be paid to a victim
             415      of an offense in a criminal or juvenile proceeding.
             416          (7) (a) "State agency" includes:
             417          (i) any department, division, commission, council, board, bureau, committee, office, or
             418      other administrative subunit of Utah state government;
             419          (ii) the legislative branch of state government; and
             420          (iii) the judicial branches of state government, including justice courts.
             421          (b) "State agency" does not include:
             422          (i) any institution of higher education;
             423          (ii) except in Subsection 63A-3-502 (7)(g), the State Tax Commission; or
             424          (iii) the administrator of the Uninsured Employers' Fund appointed by the Labor
             425      Commissioner under Section 34A-2-704 , solely for the purposes of collecting money required
             426      to be deposited into the Uninsured Employers' Fund under:
             427          (A) Section 34A-1-405 ;
             428          (B) Title 34A, Chapter 2, Workers' Compensation Act; or
             429          (C) Title 34A, Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act[; or].
             430          [(D) Title 34A, Chapter 8a, Utah Injured Worker Reemployment Act.]


             431          (8) "Writing-off" means the removal of an accounts receivable from an agency's
             432      accounts receivable records but does not necessarily eliminate further collection efforts.
             433          Section 5. Section 63I-1-234 (Superseded 07/01/14) is amended to read:
             434           63I-1-234 (Superseded 07/01/14). Repeal dates, Titles 34 and 34A.
             435          (1) Title 34, Chapter 47, Worker Classification Coordinated Enforcement Act, is
             436      repealed July 1, 2016.
             437          (2) Section 34A-2-202.5 is repealed December 31, 2020.
             438          (3) Section 34A-2-705 and Subsection 59-9-101 (2)(c)(iv) are repealed July 1, 2018.
             439          [(4) Title 34A, Chapter 8a, Utah Injured Worker Reemployment Act, is repealed July
             440      1, 2014.]
             441          Section 6. Section 63I-1-234 (Effective 07/01/14) is amended to read:
             442           63I-1-234 (Effective 07/01/14). Repeal dates, Titles 34 and 34A.
             443          (1) Title 34, Chapter 47, Worker Classification Coordinated Enforcement Act, is
             444      repealed July 1, 2016.
             445          (2) Section 34A-2-202.5 is repealed December 31, 2020.
             446          (3) Section 34A-2-705 and Subsection 59-9-101 (2)(c)(iv) are repealed July 1, 2018.
             447          [(4) Title 34A, Chapter 8a, Utah Injured Worker Reemployment Act, is repealed July
             448      1, 2014.]
             449          [(5)] (4) Section 34A-2-213 , Coordination of benefits with health benefit plan --
             450      Timely payment of claims, is repealed July 1, 2018.
             451          Section 7. Repealer.
             452          This bill repeals:
             453          Section 34A-8a-101 , Title -- Intent statement.
             454          Section 34A-8a-102 , Definitions.
             455          Section 34A-8a-104 , Application.
             456          Section 34A-8a-105 , Duties of Utah State Office of Rehabilitation not affected.
             457          Section 34A-8a-201 , Chapter administration.
             458          Section 34A-8a-202 , Rulemaking authority.
             459          Section 34A-8a-203 , Reporting.
             460          Section 34A-8a-204 , Administrative review.
             461          Section 34A-8a-301 , Initial report on injured worker.


             462          Section 34A-8a-302 , Evaluation of injured worker -- Reemployment plan.
             463          Section 34A-8a-303 , Reemployment objectives.
             464          Section 34A-8a-304 , Rehabilitation counselor.
             465          Section 8. Effective date.
             466          (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), this bill takes effect on May 13, 2014.
             467          (2) The amendments to Section 63I-1-234 (Effective 07/01/14) take effect on July 1,
             468      2014.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 11-22-13 9:16 AM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


[Bill Documents][Bills Directory]