Workers' compensation: studies.

Existing law establishes a workers' compensation system, administered by the Administrative Director of the Division of Workers' Compensation, to compensate an employee for injuries sustained in the course of his or her employment. Existing law authorizes the commission to conduct a continuing examination of the workers' compensation system. Existing law authorizes the commission to conduct or contract for studies it deems necessary to carry out its responsibilities. This bill would prohibit a study that is conducted or contracted for by the commission from being funded or commenced prior to a public hearing on the purpose and design of the study, the sources from which the required data will be obtained, and the proposed researcher or entity. The bill would require a majority vote of the commission to approve the study and the researcher or entity selected to perform the study. The bill would prohibit payment for a study if those requirements are not complied with.