Tuesday, March 21, 2000
Business asked to oppose workers' comp reform
N.Ky. Chamber fears rise in premiums
BY PATRICK CROWLEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FORT MITCHELL — Northern Kentucky's leading business group is trying to beat back proposed changes to the state's workers' compensation system.
The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce recently sent a legislative alert to its nearly 2,000 members urging them to contact state senators and voice opposition to House Bill 992, which would change the workers' comp reforms enacted in 1996.
The chamber, one of the leading advocates when the reforms were passed four years ago, is telling its members that the proposed reform would increase workers' comp insurance premiums.
“The major reductions in employer workers' compensation premiums achieved in the 1996 reforms are under attack in the Kentucky General Assembly,” reads the legislative alert.
“Lawmakers who favor HB 992 argue that there are workers who are falling through the cracks of the new system. Negotiations to fix possible problems have broken down and the proposed legislation goes far beyond any minor changes to correct possible problems,” the chamber said.
The measure passed the House last week and could be voted on by a Senate committee Wednesday. The full Senate will then consider it before the legislative session ends March 31.
The bill makes changes in several areas of the law.
It would increase benefits for workers who are permanently, partially disabled; double benefits to $50,000 for survivors of workers killed on the job; and increase attorney fees.
Proponents of the bill said that since the original 1996 reforms, it has been difficult for some injured workers to collect benefits because the definition of some injuries has changed.
Senate President Pro Tem Dick Roeding, R-Lakeside Park, said he will oppose the legislation.
“We have something that is working and does not need to be changed,” Mr. Roeding said Monday.
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