Governor Tony Evers signed Assembly Bill 1073 to make it 2023 Wisconsin Act 213.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signed Assembly Bill 1073 regarding improvements to workers compensation in the state, making it 2023 Wisconsin Act 213.
The changes were made based on recommendations by the WCAC
The Workers Compensation Advisory Council (WCAC) made recommendations for the changes to the state system, and these helped to guide the creation of the bill. Governor Evers signed the bill at the State Capitol in his office, in the presence of voting WCAC members, the president of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO, and AFSCME’s Ron Kent. Pam McGillivray, the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Workforce Development, was also there, as was its Secretary Amy Pechacek.
“For decades, this council has advised state government on how to best support and strengthen the state’s worker’s compensation system, and we thank the council for its contributions,” said Pechacek. She went on to underscore that the collaborative and agreed-upon bill process has ensured that the system in the state remains effective and stable, functioning as a model for the country. Pechacek also took a moment to recognize both the council and the governor for ensuring the bill became law.
The workers compensation bill passed with unanimous approval
Both the labor and management members of the council gave their unanimous approval to the bill before it was passed in the legislature and sent to the governor for his review and signature.
Changes made by the 2023 Wisconsin Act 213
The new language in the workers compensation 2023 Wisconsin Act 213 includes:
- Permanent partial disability increase to weekly rate
- Permitting lump sum payments for unaccrued compensation for permanent partial disability to be paid in advance voluntarily in cases of undisputed claims without 5% interest credit
- Using gender neutral language with regards to marriage
- Clarifying duties of DWD’s WC Division and the DOA Division of Hearings and Appeals in terms of closing cases
- Starting the time for the statute of limitations on the date the DHA issues an order approving a compromise agreement, moreover subsequent claims won’t be subject to timing except by the statute of limitations applying to them
- Correcting citations to match federal rehabilitation law
- Raising from $1 million to $2 million the amount of large Uninsured Employer Fund claims which must be reimbursed by workers compensation insurers.
