Workers’ comp redo easily clears panels

Those making workers’ compensation claims for death or disability will no longer make a claim with the state come July 2019, under legislation that advanced Thursday.

Currently, the first $204,000 in such claims are paid out by companies or their insurers and the rest is paid out of the state’s Death and Total Disability Fund, which is funded by taxing employers’ workers’ compensation insurance premiums.

But the fund is insolvent and could go bankrupt as soon as six years, according to state officials.

To fix the unfunded liability, Senate Bill 13 and House Bill 1010 would require businesses or their insurers to assume all of the claims that are filed after June 2019.

Some lawmakers had wanted an earlier end date for the fund, but opposition was raised by business groups and the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce.

The measures passed the House and Senate Insurance and Commerce committees with no debate.

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