Tag Archives: 2016 Legislative Session

Comp in the Capitol: Misclassification Bill Failed, Comp Judges’ Status to be Considered Wednesday

April 19, 2016 | by: | Categories: Features

Last week, HB 665, the bill toughening penalties for employer misclassification, failed on the floor of the House. This week, relevant measures continue to move with consideration of HB 575 on Wednesday. The bill would amend the Constitution to change the status of workers’ comp judges from classified to unclassified and establish a five year term. Further, this month’s Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council meeting was moved to this week and will address Senator Gatti’s SB 44 on subrogation rights among other issues.

Comp in the Capitol: Misclassification Bill Moving, Group Fund Measure Reported Favorably

April 11, 2016 | by: | Categories: Features

Two bills, one targeting employers who misclassify employees in order to avoid payroll taxes and workers’ comp premiums and another toughening financial solvency standards for group funds, move forward this week. Stick with Louisiana Comp Blog for full coverage of all comp-related legislative happenings until the Session ends on June 6th.

Comp in the Capitol: SB 44 Stalls, Other Bills Still Pending

April 4, 2016 | by: | Categories: Features

It is a quiet week for workers’ comp in the Capitol. The adjuster licensing bill is awaiting consideration by the House and the subrogation bill considered last week has been deferred pending additional amendments to its language. Meanwhile, the remaining measures have yet to move. Stick with Louisiana Comp Blog for full coverage of that meeting and all comp-related legislative happenings until the Session ends on June 6th.

Guest Post: Gregory J. Hubachek on “A Bipartisan Prescription for Louisiana’s Opioid Crisis,” Part 2

April 1, 2016 | by: | Categories: Features, Opinion

The following guest post by local claimant attorney Gregory J. Hubachek and D. Kirkhoff Brainard is the second in a two part series addressing solutions to Louisiana’s opioid epidemic. It is one of several policy papers addressing key issues for discussion in the 2016 Legislative Session. Below, Hubachek and Brainard discuss alternatives to a closed formulary for curbing opioid abuse in our state, placing particular emphasis on prescription drug monitoring databases and alternative therapies.

Comp in the Capitol: Comp Adjuster Licensing Bill Moves Forward, Subro Bill Set for Committee on Thursday

March 28, 2016 | by: | Categories: Features

The WCAC has weighed in on the major bills as they stand in their original form, as several measures proceed in Committee this week. Stick with Louisiana Comp Blog for full coverage of that meeting and all comp-related legislative happenings until the Session ends on June 6th.

March WCAC Meeting Centers Around Pending Legislation, Introduction of New Medical Director

March 28, 2016 | by: | Categories: Features

The March meeting of the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council (WCAC) took place last Thursday at the Department of Insurance in Baton Rouge. Office of Workers’ Compensation Administration (OWCA) Director Sheral Kellar guided the Council and the public through several key pieces of business, including the appointment and introduction of the new Medical Director. Representative Chris Broadwater (pictured) gave presentations on a variety of bills he has filed for the 2016 Legislative Session, currently in its third week, and members voted on whether or not to recommend both his and several other pending instruments to the appropriate Committees.

Comp in the Capitol: New Measures Filed Addressing Comp Judges, Physical Therapy, WCAC Votes

March 21, 2016 | by: | Categories: Features

Several new bills are on our radar this week as the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council prepares to hear presentations from lawmakers on several measures on Thursday. Stick with Louisiana Comp Blog for full coverage of that meeting and all comp-related legislative happenings until the Session ends on June 6th.

Comp in the Capitol: Pre-Filed Legislation for the 2016 Regular Session Beginning Today

March 14, 2016 | by: | Categories: Features

Much like last year’s session, workers’ compensation as a target for lawmakers’ goals appears to be taking a backseat to the state’s still looming budget woes. However, several bills have been filed that address various technical aspects of the statute, including one bill addressing group funds’ financial stability, as well as a measure aimed at the potential adoption of an ODG formulary. Stick with Louisiana Comp Blog for full coverage of comp-related happenings until the Session ends on June 6th.

Guest Post: Gregory J. Hubachek on Solving Louisiana’s Revenue Crisis by Targeting Misclassification

February 24, 2016 | by: | Categories: Features, Opinion

Gregory Hubachek, of Workers’ Compensation LLC, a law firm representing injured workers, has practiced in the field of workers’ compensation for over two decades and served on the Governor’s Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council since 2009, as well as providing educational presentations for a variety of organizations including LABI, the OWC, and the Workers’ Injury Law and Advocacy Group. In this guest post, Hubachek and D. Kirkhoff Brainard sound off on how Louisiana can remedy its current budget woes by enforcing existing employment laws, and why dedicating resources to the Louisiana Workforce Commission to that end is so vitally important.