Provides that for worker's compensation and occupational diseases compensation, not later than 14 days from the date that the first installment of compensation is due, an employer or the employer's insurance carrier must file with the worker's compensation board (board) a report of payment of compensation. (Current law provides that not later than 15 days from the date that the first installment of compensation is due, an employer or the employer's insurance carrier must file with the worker's compensation board a compensation agreement.) Provides that for worker's compensation and occupational diseases compensation, the presentation to the employee or to the employee's dependents of certain payments from the employer or the employer's insurance carrier is sufficient tender of the worker's compensation or occupational diseases compensation. Provides that for worker's compensation and occupational diseases coverage, an employer must notify certain employees of the employer's intent to terminate the employee's temporary total disability benefits, and for all instances of termination of benefits, file an electronic notice with the board. (Current law provides that an employer must notify an employee of the employer's intent to terminate temporary total disability benefits in cases not included in statute.) Provides that for worker's compensation and occupational diseases compensation for injuries occurring on or after July 1, 1991, compensation amounts determined for visual impairments shall be: (1) based on the Functional Vision Score; and (2) except in cases of permanent and complete loss of vision by enucleation, be paid as a whole person rating. (Current law provides that for injuries occurring on or after July 1, 1991, compensation amounts determined for: (1) permanent reduction of the sight of an eye less than a total eye loss shall be paid in an amount proportionate to the degree of a permanent reduction without correction or glasses; and (2) 100% loss of vision shall be paid for 50% of the total loss of vision without glasses, plus an additional amount equal to the proportionate amount of the reduction with glasses.) Removes from the compensation schedule for worker's compensation and occupational diseases compensation, for injuries occurring on or after July 1, 1991, that a reduction of vision to 1/10 of normal vision with glasses is 35 degrees of permanent impairment. Provides that the board may dispose of all papers for files when compensation has been awarded either by agreement or upon hearing two years after the termination of the compensation period for files related to worker's compensation and worker's occupational diseases compensation. (Current law provides for one year.) Provides that all records of insurance coverage related to worker's occupational diseases compensation shall be maintained for 35 years. (Current law provides the records be maintained for 45 years.)
Sponsored bills
Provides that a member of the public employees' retirement fund (PERF), the Indiana state teachers' retirement fund (TRF), or the legislators' defined contribution plan who meets certain age and service requirements may withdraw all or part of the amount in the member's annuity savings account without consequence to the member's pension benefit under the fund and without separating from a covered position. Removes the requirement that a member of PERF, TRF, or the legislators' defined contribution plan wait 30 days after separating from a covered position to withdraw an amount from the member's annuity saving account. Provides that the board of trustees of the Indiana public retirement system may offer members an alternative option for the payment of the member's retirement benefits that does not include a minimum benefit option. (The introduced version of this bill was prepared by the interim study committee on pension management oversight.)
Defines "protection order records" and requires companies that provide background checks to periodically review their records and remove records relating to expunged protection orders (in the same manner as expunged convictions are removed). Permits a person to expunge protection order records in connection with the denial of an ex parte petition for a protection order. Provides that if a court reduces a Class D or Level 6 felony to a misdemeanor, the five-year waiting period for expungement begins on the date of the felony conviction and not on the date the felony was converted to a misdemeanor. Provides that, if a person whose records have been expunged seeks employment with a law enforcement agency or a probation or community corrections department, the law enforcement agency or the probation or community corrections department may: (1) inquire about the person's expunged records; and (2) refuse to employ the person. Specifies the procedure to expunge records of a collateral action entered in a different county than the county which issued the expungement order.
Establishes mental health disability review panels (review panel) for evaluation of members of the 1977 police officers' and firefighters' pension and disability fund (1977 fund) who have been determined to have an impairment for mental illness. Includes mental illness in the description of "occupational diseases" for purposes of determining whether a 1977 fund member has an impairment. Makes the final determination of an impairment for a mental illness provisional for two years: (1) beginning July 1, 2020, for a final determination made after December 31, 2012, and before July 1, 2020; or (2) from the date of the final determination, for a final determination made after June 30, 2020. Requires that, during that time, the 1977 fund member participate in a mental health treatment plan, at the employer's cost, and at the end of the two year period, requires the review panel to evaluate the 1977 fund member to determine if the 1977 fund member: (1) is medically able to return to duty; or (2) may continue for another two year provisional disability period. Requires that, at the end of the second provisional period, the review panel evaluate the 1977 fund member to determine if the 1977 fund member: (1) is medically able to return to duty; or (2) has a permanent impairment. Provides that the evaluations conducted by the mental health disability review panels are confidential. Provides that the board of trustees of the Indiana public retirement system may suspend a 1977 fund member's disability benefits if the member fails to comply with reasonable requests for information by the mental health disability review panel. (The introduced version of this bill was prepared by the interim study committee on pension management oversight.)
Extends eligibility for National Guard license plates to former members of the National Guard.
Provides that a participant in the state excise police, gaming agent, gaming control officer, and conservation enforcement officers' retirement plan (EG&C plan) who dies after January 31, 2018, is not required to have a minimum number of years of creditable service in the EG&C plan at the time of the participant's death in order for the participant's nominated survivor to be entitled to receive survivors' benefits. Provides that if a participant in the EG&C plan dies in the line of duty after January 31, 2018, the participant's nominated survivor is entitled to an annual survivors' allowance for life equal to 100% of the amount to which the participant would have been entitled had the participant retired with 25 years of service at 50 years of age. Provides that in the EG&C plan if: (1) an active participant regardless of the participant's years of creditable service and (2) an inactive participant with at least 15 years of creditable service dies other than in the line of duty after January 31, 2018, the participant's nominated survivor is entitled to an annual survivors' allowance for life equal to 50% of the amount to which the participant would have been entitled had the participant retired with 25 years of service at 50 years of age. Makes technical corrections. (The introduced version of this bill was prepared by the interim study committee on pension management oversight.)
A SENATE RESOLUTION urging the Indiana Department of Transportation to rename the bridge at State Road 28 (Walnut Avenue) in Frankfort the "Staff Sergeant Jamie Jarboe Memorial Bridge".
A SENATE RESOLUTION honoring Senator Victoria Spartz upon her retirement from the Indiana Senate.
A SENATE RESOLUTION to honor Senator Mark Stoops upon his retirement from the Indiana Senate.
Provides that ambulatory surgical centers may be reimbursed in an amount not to exceed 275% of the ambulatory surgical center's Medicare reimbursement rate. Provides that the payment to an ambulatory surgical center for a medical device under worker's compensation may not exceed the invoice amount plus 3%. Increases benefits for injuries and disablements by 2% each year for three years, beginning on July 1, 2020. Provides that a medical service facility may be reimbursed in an amount not to exceed 200% of the medical service facility's Medicare reimbursement rate.