Bill Text: HI SB1196 | 2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Workers' Compensation Fraud
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-01-26 - (S) Referred to JDL, CPN. [SB1196 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2011-SB1196-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1196 |
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TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to workers' compensation fraud.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Section 386-71, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§386-71 Duties and powers of the
director in general. The director of labor and industrial relations shall
be in charge of all matters of administration pertaining to the operation and
application of this chapter[.], except for matters arising under
section 386-98. The director shall have and exercise all powers necessary
to facilitate or promote the efficient execution of this chapter and, in
particular, shall supervise, and take all measures necessary for, the prompt
and proper payment of compensation.
If an injury [which] that may be
compensable under this chapter is reported to, or comes to the notice of, the
department of labor and industrial relations, the director and the director's
staff shall investigate [such] the injury to the extent as may
appear necessary. The director shall cause to be printed and furnished free of
charge to any employer or employee [such] blank forms as the director
deems requisite to the performance of the director's functions. The blanks
shall also be supplied by the director to the clerks of the respective circuit
courts, who shall furnish the same to any employer or employee free of charge
pursuant to any rules [issued] adopted by the director."
SECTION 2. Section 386-73, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§386-73 Original jurisdiction over
controversies. Unless otherwise provided, the director of labor and
industrial relations shall have original jurisdiction over all controversies
and disputes arising under this chapter[.], except for matters
arising under section 386-98. The decisions of the director shall be
enforceable by the circuit court as provided in section 386-91. There shall be
a right of appeal from the decisions of the director to the appellate board and
thence to the intermediate appellate court, subject to chapter 602, as provided
in sections 386-87 and 386-88, but in no case shall an appeal operate as a
supersedeas or stay unless the appellate board or the appellate court so
orders."
SECTION 3. Section 386-98, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (f) to read as follows:
"(f) With respect to the administrative
penalties set forth in subsection (e), no penalty shall be imposed except upon
consideration of a written complaint that specifically alleges a violation of
this section occurring within two years of the date of [said] the
complaint. A copy of the complaint specifying the alleged violation shall be
served promptly upon the person charged. The [director or board] insurance
commissioner shall issue, where a penalty is ordered, a written decision
stating all findings following a hearing held not fewer than twenty days after
written notice to the person charged. Any person aggrieved by the decision may
appeal the decision under [sections 386-87 and 386-88.] chapter 91."
SECTION 4. Section 431:2-401, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending the definition of "licensee" to read as follows:
""Licensee" means an entity licensed under and governed by title 21, including chapter 386, title 24, including an insurer governed by chapter 431, a mutual benefit society governed by article 1 of chapter 432, a fraternal benefit society governed by article 2 of chapter 432, or a health maintenance organization governed by chapter 432D, and their respective agents and employees engaged in the business of the licensee."
SECTION 5. Section 431:2-402, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
"(b) The branch shall:
(1) Conduct a statewide program for the prevention of
insurance fraud under title 24, including chapters 431, 432, and 432D[;
provided that the branch shall not have jurisdiction over workers' compensation
under chapter 386;] and title 21, including chapter 386;
(2) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, investigate and prosecute in administrative hearings and courts of competent jurisdiction all persons involved in insurance fraud violations; and
(3) Promote public and industry-wide education about insurance fraud."
SECTION 6. All rights, powers, functions, and duties of the department of labor and industrial relations relating to matters arising under section 386-98, Hawaii Revised Statutes, are transferred to the department of commerce and consumer affairs.
All officers and employees whose functions are transferred by this Act shall be transferred with their functions and shall continue to perform their regular duties upon their transfer, subject to the state personnel laws and this Act.
No officer or employee of the State having tenure shall suffer any loss of salary, seniority, prior service credit, vacation, sick leave, or other employee benefit or privilege as a consequence of this Act, and such officer or employee may be transferred or appointed to a civil service position without the necessity of examination; provided that the officer or employee possesses the minimum qualifications for the position to which transferred or appointed; and provided that subsequent changes in status may be made pursuant to applicable civil service and compensation laws.
An officer or employee of the State who does not have tenure and who may be transferred or appointed to a civil service position as a consequence of this Act shall become a civil service employee without the loss of salary, seniority, prior service credit, vacation, sick leave, or other employee benefits or privileges and without the necessity of examination; provided that such officer or employee possesses the minimum qualifications for the position to which transferred or appointed.
If an office or position held by an officer or employee having tenure is abolished, the officer or employee shall not thereby be separated from public employment, but shall remain in the employment of the State with the same pay and classification and shall be transferred to some other office or position for which the officer or employee is eligible under the personnel laws of the State as determined by the head of the department or the governor.
SECTION 7. All appropriations, records, equipment, machines, files, supplies, contracts, books, papers, documents, maps, and other personal property heretofore made, used, acquired, or held by the department of labor and industrial relations relating to the functions transferred to the department of commerce and consumer affairs shall be transferred with the functions to which they relate.
SECTION 8. All rules, policies, procedures, guidelines, and other material adopted or developed by the department of labor and industrial relations to implement provisions of the Hawaii Revised Statutes which are reenacted or made applicable to the department of commerce and consumer affairs by this Act, shall remain in full force and effect until amended or repealed by the department of commerce and consumer affairs pursuant to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes. In the interim, every reference to the department of labor and industrial relations or director of labor and industrial relations in those rules, policies, procedures, guidelines, and other material is amended to refer to the department of commerce and consumer affairs or director of commerce and consumer affairs as appropriate.
SECTION 9. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 10. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2011.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Workers' Compensation Fraud
Description:
Transfers jurisdiction over workers' compensation fraud from the department of labor and industrial relations to the insurance fraud investigations unit of the insurance division of the department of commerce and consumer affairs.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
