Bill Text: MO HB2104 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishes the Joint Committee on Missouri Division of Workers' Compensation
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-04-28 - Voted Do Pass (H) [HB2104 Detail]
Download: Missouri-2014-HB2104-Introduced.html
SECOND REGULAR SESSION
97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES MAY (Sponsor), WALTON GRAY, KRATKY, MCDONALD, NEWMAN, FRAME, LAFAVER, ELLINGTON, GARDNER, SMITH AND COLONA (Co-sponsors).
5857L.01I D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To amend chapter 21, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to the joint committee on Missouri division of workers' compensation.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 21, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 21.815, to read as follows:
21.815. 1. There is hereby established a "Joint Committee on Missouri Division of Workers' Compensation" to be composed of seven members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and minority floor leader and seven members of the senate appointed by the president pro tem of the senate and the minority floor leader. The appointment of each member shall continue during the member's term of office or until a successor has been appointed to fill the member's place when his or her term of office as a member of the general assembly has expired. No party shall be represented by more than four members from the house of representatives or more than four members from the senate. A majority of the joint committee shall constitute a quorum, but the concurrence of a majority of the members shall be required for the determination of any matter within the joint committee's duties.
2. The joint committee shall:
(1) Investigate disparity directed at injured minorities, low-income workers, and workers under thirty-five years of age;
(2) Make a continuing study and analysis of the division of workers' compensation bias, fraud, and noncompliance, investigation system, and regulatory agency;
(3) Address the need for additional resources to improve the quality of fairness provided to injured minorities while processing claims in this state;
(4) Review and redress for claims that prove to be fraudulent and/or noncompliant;
(5) Devise a plan for improving the structured decision making for compromise settlements;
(6) Determine the additional personnel and resources to adequately protect injured minorities, low-income workers, and workers under the age of thirty-five and improve their welfare and the welfare of their families;
(7) Determine from the study and the analysis the need for changes in the statutory laws;
(8) Investigate the operations, effects, and administration of the Missouri division of workers' compensation;
(9) Investigate measures and methods for elimination of bias within the program;
(10) Request the presence of the director of the division of workers' compensation to answer questions from the study;
(11) Make every effort to meet in at least three urban regions of the state to seek public input and examine trends in the state for injured workers in those regions and their needs, existing services and resources, and needed state policies;
(12) Make any recommendation to the general assembly necessary to provide adequate protection for injured minorities, low-income workers, and workers under the age of thirty-five in this state regarding due process and equal protection rights;
(13) Meet within thirty days after its creation and select a chairperson and a vice chairperson, and meet quarterly thereafter; and
(14) Compile a full report of its activities for submission to the general assembly by January thirtieth of each year the general assembly convenes in a regular session.
3. The provisions of this section shall expire on January 30, 2020.
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