NASHVILLE – Tennessee Governor-elect Bill Haslam today announced Nashville insurance regulatory attorney Julie Mix McPeak as Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. The department protects the interests of consumers while providing fair, efficient oversight and a level field of competition for a broad array of industries and professionals doing business in Tennessee.… [Read more]
Legislative & Regulatory News
Illinois House Committee Approves Workers’ Compensation Reforms
Following exceptionally long debate in a crowded committee room, the House Executive Committee voted 8-3 to approve reforms to the Illinois Workers Compensation Act. These reforms originated from several hearings that were held across the state within the last few weeks. The bill will next be considered by the full House. SB 1066, as amended… [Read more]
Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission Posts 2011 Fee Schedule Information
Section 8.2(a) of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act provides that, each year, fee schedule rates shall increase or decrease by the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index-U in the previous year. Because the CPI-U increased 1.01% between August 2009 and August 2010, rates increased 1.01% for treatment on or after January 1, 2011. Note: … [Read more]
Outgoing California Insurance Commissioner Poizner Urges Governor Elect Brown to Continue to Protect Workers’ Comp Reforms
Rates Could Skyrocket if Benefits Increased Without Cutting Costs, Warns Poizner Sacramento, CA–12/30/2010–Commissioner Poizner sent a letter to Gov.-Elect Jerry Brown today to urge him to preserve the workers’ compensation insurance reforms that have reduced the Workers’ Compensation Cost Claims Benchmark by more than 60 percent since its high in 2003. “We all witnessed… [Read more]
California Department of Industrial Relations Highlights New Labor Laws in the New Year
(San Francisco, CA) – As the New Year begins, the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) reminds employers of new labor laws becoming effective in 2011. The intent of the new legislation varies from providing more flexibility to employers, to expanding paid leave for employees. The following new laws will go into effect on January 1,… [Read more]
MSHA Proposes Revisions to Examination Requirements in Underground Coal Mines
Rule underscores mine operators’ responsibility for conducting safety and health examinations ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 22, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced a proposal to revise its requirements for pre-shift, supplemental, on-shift and weekly examinations. The proposed rule on Examinations of Work Areas in Underground Coal Mines… [Read more]
Illinois Senate Special Committee on Workers’ Compensation Reform Holds Second Hearing
On Wednesday, December 8, IML staff attended the second hearing of the Senate Special Committee on Workers’ Compensation Reform. The hearing was held at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago. The IML submitted written testimony to the Special Committee. The bipartisan six member committee listened to approximately five hours of testimony from those seeking… [Read more]
Statement by Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis on Robert C. Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act of 2010
WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the U.S. House of Representatives’ vote of 214-193 on the Robert C. Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act of 2010. The measure was taken up by the House as a “suspension” — a legislative mechanism requiring a two-thirds majority of House members… [Read more]
MSHA Announces It Will Hold 6 Public Hearings On Coal Mine Dust Rule
ARLINGTON, Va. November 11, 2010–WorkCompWire— The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that it will hold six public hearings on the proposed rule “Lowering Miners’ Exposure to Respirable Coal Mine Dust, Including Continuous Personal Dust Monitors.” The notice will be available in the Federal Register on Nov. 15. The proposed… [Read more]
Cal/OSHA Implements Updated Heat Safety Regulations
OAKLAND, Calif., Nov. 4, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — As a national leader in workplace safety, Cal/OSHA today implements updated safety standards for employees working in outdoor heat. The revisions to the Heat Illness Prevention Standard, approved by the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board on Aug. 19, became effective today. The revised standards provide clarification of… [Read more]