Comp in the Capitol: Group Self-Insurance Fund Bill Dies in Final Minutes of Session, Few Other Bills Made It
The 2016 Regular Session officially ended at 6 PM yesterday. As lawmakers prepared to move into a second Special Session to remedy the state’s budget woes, HB 280 failed to be called up again in the House for a final vote after three amendments, one of which passed, were forcefully debated in the Senate. Only four measures of any major significance to the workers’ comp industry passed this year. Senator Gatti’s bill standardizing employer credits after successful subrogation efforts and the legislation eliminating the need for a prescription or referral for physical therapy are on the Governor’s desk. Governor Edwards already signed the bill requiring workers’ comp adjusters to be licensed, and HCR 113, which will create a committee to study opioid abuse in Louisiana, was signed by the Speaker of the House.