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TUESDAY: Three Workers’ Comp Reforms Highlight Lengthy Labor Agenda
An array of workers’ compensation reforms has been moving through the Capitol, building on the steady groundwork LABI has helped establish through consistent coverage, advocacy and engagement over the first two months of session. LABI is working to sustain that momentum in a policy area that has not seen meaningful, comprehensive reform in decades.
With that backdrop, we are tracking nearly every item on Tuesday’s House Labor agenda in some form, most notably a trio of workers’ comp reform bills. Two of those measures were highlighted earlier this week:
HB 1101 by Rep. Michael Melerine (R-Shreveport) is a practical, focused path forward addressing out-of-control indemnity benefits costs. The legislation would cap the total disability benefits to the lesser of three years or ‘maximum medical improvement,’ a term defined in accordance with established federal standards. Currently, Louisiana’s indemnity benefits costs are among the highest in the nation and twice as high as neighboring states.
The bill also strengthens anti-fraud provisions and reinforces return-to-work efforts through vocational rehabilitation.
LABI and our members support a worker’s comp system designed to get injured workers the care they need quickly and efficiently so they can return to work—not one that incentivizes prolonged absence or excessive litigation. HB 1101 is a strong step toward that goal.
For years, the trial bar has fought our efforts to rein in excessive litigation and costs. We expect significant opposition—that’s why we need you to contact members of the House Labor Committee NOW!
Let them know that Rep. Melerine’s HB 1101 helps move Louisiana toward a more balanced, accountable and competitive workers’ comp system. We’ve made it easy for you—click HERE to send them a message.
Also a priority for LABI is HB 456 by Rep. Emily Chenevert (R–Baton Rouge), which is designed to create a more transparent, balanced process with clearer expectations for all parties.
The bill requires parties filing a disputed claim to provide more detailed information upfront on the injury, the benefits sought, and the relief requested. This is intended to reduce vague filings, improve early understanding of disputes and speed up the resolution process.
It also expands when employers and insurers can file disputed claims. Under current law, they are largely limited to fraud or narrow medical disputes; HB 456 would allow challenges whenever a legitimate dispute exists under workers’ comp law.
Here’s what else we’re tracking in Committee:
HB 819 by Chairman Raymond Crews (R-Bossier City): This bill upgrades Louisiana’s disjointed workers’ comp medical treatment schedule by adopting the Official Disability Guidelines, a nationally recognized, evidence-based standard published by MCG Health and used in a dozen state systems. The change is intended to improve consistency, quality of care and predictability in medical decision-making. LABI supports this bill.
HB 1023 by Rep. Shaun Mena: This bill removes employers’ ability to select vocational rehabilitation counselors for injured workers and transfers that authority to OWCA bureaucrats, reducing employer input in the return-to-work process. LABI opposes this bill.
HB 1047 by Rep. Mena: This bill eliminates preauthorization requirements for prescription medications in workers’ comp cases, removing a key safeguard at a time when Louisiana is still recovering from an opioid crisis that has claimed thousands of lives. LABI opposes this bill.