Michigan Senate Approves Workers' Comp Changes
LANSING (AP)- A bill that could help employers reduce costs related to compensating workers injured on the job was approved Wednesday by the Republican-led Michigan Senate, making it possible that final legislative approval could come by the end of the year.
The Senate approved the bill by a 20-16 vote, sending the measure back to the Republican-led House with significant changes such as exempting police and fire department employees from some requirements. The two chambers would have to agree on a final version of the legislation before sending it to Republican Gov. Rick Snyder.
It was not immediately clear how the House, which passed a version of the bill earlier this fall, might react to the Senate changes.
Republicans say the measure updates Michigan's workers' compensation laws, reflects recent court rulings and could help crack down on fraud while encouraging injured workers to seek some type of employment when they're able.
Democrats say some of those provisions would make it harder for injured employees to receive or keep benefits. Workers could risk losing some benefits if they don't accept alternative jobs once they're partially restored to health, even if the new jobs pay less.
Democrats welcomed exempting police and fire employees from the revised workers' comp requirements, but they wanted other types of workers exempted as well. Republicans would not back those exemptions, however.
Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville, a Republican from Monroe, said police and fire employees "risk their lives for our safety" and deserved different consideration in the legislation.
Opponents of the bill are concerned that injured workers seeking to get a second medical opinion or visit their own doctors would have to do so at their own expense. The Senate version of the plan, however, would let injured workers consult their own doctors more quickly than the House plan.
The workers' compensation changes are supported by the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, which says the legislation balances the needs of injured workers and employers who finance the workers' comp system.
Democrats said it's the latest in a string of Republican-backed measures that hurt Michigan workers.
"It seems like every week, Senate Republicans find a new way to attack Michigan workers and roll out another bill to erode their rights and the benefits they depend on to survive," said Senate Democratic Leader Gretchen Whitmer of East Lansing.
The changes to the law would not affect those currently receiving benefits or those with pending claims.
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