SB 1551: workers' compensation; disability; definitions - Arizona

Senate Engrossed Version → Chaptered Version · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the Arizona Workers' Compensation Law to clarify definitions, expand coverage for specific groups like volunteer firefighters and mining lessees, and modernize procedures for notice and medical fee scheduling. It also adds a new provision limiting the application of the updated disability rules to claims filed on or after the act's effective date.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly include lessees of mining property and their employees within the definition of employer employees, and to clarify wage computation for volunteer state employees and working shareholders. Additionally, a new applicability clause restricts the updated permanent total disability rules to future claims only.

DEFINITION

Clarified that lessees of mining property and their employees are treated as the lessor's employees for compensation purposes.

ELIGIBILITY

Updated the definition of 'Order' to exclude specific administrative rulings regarding entitlement and benefit amounts.

REQUIREMENT

Revised the method for sending legal notices to require that electronic transmission be reasonably calculated to achieve effective notice unless the recipient opts out.

Expanded the definition of medical treatment exclusions to include minor issues like scratches and splinters that do not require professional medical care.

Updated the medical fee schedule section to include providers of health care and clarified that mail-order pharmacies are considered accessible to the general public.

TIMELINE

Added a new section stating that the amended permanent total disability rules apply only to claims filed on or after the effective date of the act.

House Engrossed Version → Senate Engrossed Version · 5 edits · Apr 15, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was converted from a House version to a Senate version with several substantive changes. The most significant change is the removal of a section limiting the bill's applicability to claims filed on or after the effective date, which means the new provisions now apply to all claims rather than just future ones. Other changes include formatting adjustments to definitions, simplification of notice transmission requirements, and rewording of medical treatment definitions to clarify what constitutes reportable injuries.

Scope change

The bill's applicability was expanded from only covering claims filed on or after the effective date to applying to all claims, removing a temporal limitation on when the new provisions take effect.

TIMELINE

Removed the restriction that the bill only applies to claims filed on or after the effective date, making the changes retroactive to all claims.

REQUIREMENT

Simplified the notice transmission requirements by removing detailed language about achieving effective notice and opting out.

DEFINITION

Reformatted and slightly reworded the definition of 'medical treatment' to clarify what minor injuries do not require reporting.

Reformatted the definition of 'Order' for consistency while maintaining the same meaning.

TECHNICAL

Adjusted formatting of mining property lessee provisions and volunteer state employee provisions for consistency.

Introduced Version → House Engrossed Version · 11 edits · Apr 15, 2025

MAJOR

This bill significantly expands who qualifies for workers' compensation coverage in Arizona by adding new categories of workers, including LLC members, corporate shareholders, and various volunteer groups. It also updates fee schedules for medical care, clarifies service delivery methods, and adjusts compensation calculations for certain employee groups.

Scope change

The bill expands coverage eligibility from traditional employees to include LLC members, corporate shareholders, and various volunteer groups (firefighters, sheriffs, health care workers, emergency management personnel, etc.)

ELIGIBILITY

Added new categories of covered workers including LLC members, corporate shareholders, volunteer firefighters, volunteer sheriff's reserve members, volunteer health care workers, and emergency management volunteers

Added coverage for Arizona National Guard and state guard members receiving military salary from the state

Added coverage for certified ambulance drivers and attendants serving without full pay

Added coverage for Arizona game and fish department reserve members

Clarified that compensation benefits for volunteer sheriff's reserve members do not extend to sheriff's posse members except during search and rescue missions

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'professional employer agreement' and 'professional employer organization' to support co-employment arrangements

Added definition for 'interested party' to include third party administrators

REQUIREMENT

Updated service delivery methods to allow electronic transmission with consent and opt-out provisions

Added requirement for commission to hold public meetings before adopting fee schedules for medical services

FISCAL

Established minimum assumed monthly wage of $600 for LLC members and corporate shareholders seeking coverage

Adjusted compensation calculation for volunteer sheriff's reserve members to be based on regular deputy sheriff salary

workers' compensation; disability; definitions

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