law15116

Chapter 116

2015 -- H 6152 SUBSTITUTE A
Enacted 06/19/2015

A N A C T

RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- WORKERS' COMPENSATION

Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Williams, Kennedy, Lima, and Solomon

Date Introduced: April 30, 2015

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 28-30-22 of the General Laws in Chapter 28-30 entitled "Workers'

Compensation Court" is hereby amended to read as follows:

28-30-22. Medical advisory board. -- (a) The chief judge of the workers' compensation

court, in consultation with the appropriate medical or professional association, shall appoint a

medical advisory board which that shall serve at the chief judge's pleasure and consist of eleven

(11) members in the following specialties: one orthopedic surgeon; one neurologist; one

neurosurgeon; one physiatrist; one chiropractor; one physical therapist; one internist; one

psychiatrist or psychologist; and three (3) four (4) ad hoc physician members appointed at the

discretion of the chief judge. Members of the board shall be reimbursed three hundred dollars

($300) per day served in the discharge of the board's duties, not to exceed six thousand dollars

($6,000) per member in any year. The chief judge shall designate the chairperson of the board.

(b) The chief judge is authorized, with the advice of the medical advisory board, to do

the following:

(1) (i) Adopt and review protocols and standards of treatment for compensable injury,

which shall address types, frequency, modality, duration, and termination of treatment, and types

and frequency of diagnostic procedures.

(ii) Within thirty (30) days of its establishment, the medical advisory board shall prepare

a recommended standard for the consideration and weighing by the court of medical evidence,

including, but not limited to, medical test results, objective clinical findings, subjective

complaints supported by tests for inconsistency, and purely subjective complaints, with the

purposes of assuring treatment and compensation for legitimate compensable injuries, injuries;

reducing litigation, inefficiency, and delay in court proceedings, proceedings; and deterring

false or exaggerated claims of injury. The standards shall be applicable to proceedings before the

workers' compensation court, including specifically those to determine the nature and extent of

injury and the achievement of maximum medical improvement, and shall be effective in all

proceedings when adopted by the court.

(2) Approve and promulgate rules, regulations, and procedures concerning the

appointment and qualifications of comprehensive comprehensive, independent health care

review teams which that would be composed of any combination of one or more health care

provider(s), rehabilitation expert(s), physical therapist(s), occupational therapist(s),

psychologist(s), and vocational rehabilitation counselor(s).

(3) Approve and administer procedures to disqualify or disapprove medical service

providers and maintain the approved provider list.

(4) Appoint an administrator of the medical advisory board.

(5) Approve and promulgate rules, regulations, and procedures concerning the

appointment and qualifications of impartial medical examiners.

(6) Annually review the performance of each comprehensive comprehensive,

independent health care review team and impartial medical examiner.

establish terms and conditions for comprehensive comprehensive, independent health care

review teams and impartial medical examiners to apply for approval by the medical advisory

board and to perform any other duties as directed by the board.

(d) Any reference to an impartial medical examiner in chapters 29 -- 38 of this title shall

be deemed to include the impartial medical examiners and comprehensive comprehensive,

independent health care review teams referred to in subsection (b) of this section.

(e) (1) Disqualification of medical care providers. - Every health care provider licensed

in the state of Rhode Island shall be presumed to be qualified to provide health care services for

injuries compensable under this title, title and may recover costs of treatment consistent with

established fee and cost schedules. The administrator of the medical advisory board is thereafter

authorized to disqualify and/or suspend any qualified provider based upon one or more of the

following:

(i) The violation of the protocols and standards of care established by the medical

advisory board;

(ii) The filing of affidavits that are untimely, inadequate, incomplete, or untruthful;

(iii) The provision of unnecessary and/or inappropriate treatment;

(iv) A pattern of violation and/or evasion of an approved fee schedule;

(v) The censure or discipline of the provider by the licensing body of the provider's

profession;

(vi) The billing of, or pursuing collection efforts against, the employee for treatment or

diagnostic tests causally related to an injury not deemed non-compensable by the workers'

compensation court.

(2) Upon disqualification or during suspension, the provider shall not be permitted to

recover any costs or fees for treatment provided under this title. The appropriate body with

professional disciplinary authority over the provider shall be notified of any such action. Appeal

of disqualification or suspension shall be to the medical advisory board, with final review by the

workers' compensation court.

(3) If unnecessary or inappropriate treatment is provided by an entity affiliated with the

treating physician, the administrator of the medical advisory board may increase the penalty for a

violation.

(4) This section shall not prevent the recovery of reasonable costs for immediate

emergency care rendered by a provider.

(f) As a guide to the interpretation and application of this section, the policy and intent of

this legislature is declared to be that every person who suffers a compensable injury with

resulting disability should be provided with high quality high-quality medical care and the

opportunity to return to gainful employment as soon as possible with minimal dependence on

compensation awards.

SECTION 2. Sections 28-33-17.2, 28-33-17.3 and 28-33-18.3 of the General Laws in

Chapter 28-33 entitled "Workers' Compensation - Benefits" are hereby amended to read as

follows:

28-33-17.2. Employee's affirmative duty to report earnings -- Penalties for failure to

provide earnings report -- Civil and criminal liability. -- (a) It is the intent of the legislature

that the costs resulting from fraud and abuse in the workers' compensation system be arrested. In

order to discourage potential abusers, employees must be aware of the affirmative duty to report

earnings and the penalties for any fraud or abuse must be severe and certain.

(b) Any employee entitled to receive weekly workers' compensation benefits shall have

an affirmative duty to report those earnings, including wages or salary remuneration paid for

personal services, commissions, and bonuses, including the cash value of all remuneration

payable in any medium other than cash, earned from self-employment or from any employer

other than the employer in whose employ he or she was injured, so that compensation benefits

may be properly computed.

employee receiving weekly workers' compensation benefits, on forms prescribed by the

department, of that employee's affirmative duty to report earnings and shall specifically notify the

employee that a failure to report earnings may subject him or her to civil or criminal liability.

(2) The notice by the employer or insurer may be satisfied by printing the notice on the

employee payee statement (check stub) portion of indemnity checks sent to the employee, or by

incorporating said notice in an agreement for electronic fund transfer or use or issuance of an

electronic access device, signed by both the employee and the employer or its insurer.

(d) Any employee entitled to weekly workers' compensation benefits for any period of

time shall, upon written request of the employer or insurer, provide at reasonable intervals to the

employer or insurer an earnings report, on forms prescribed by the department, advising the

employer or insurer of the exact amount of earnings for each week of his or her entitlement to

benefits or advising that no earnings were received for particular weeks, so that the employer or

insurer may properly compute the amount of benefits due to the employee.

(e) If any employee refuses to submit an earnings report upon request by the employer or

insurer his or her rights to compensation may be suspended and his or her compensation during

that period of suspension may be forfeited.

(f) Where any employee is found to be entitled to benefits in excess of fifty-two (52)

weeks pursuant to a decision resulting in the entry of an order or decree, he or she shall submit an

earnings report as described in subsection (d) of this section. In these cases, the employer or

insurer must pay benefits within seven (7) days of receipt of the earnings report; provided, that no

petition to enforce shall be allowed nor any penalty for late payment awarded unless payments

were not made within seven (7) days after the earnings report has been provided.

(g) The employer or insurer shall be entitled to recover overpayments made to any

employee as a result of a violation of the employee's duty to report earnings by any of the

following means:

(1) Upon petition and order of the workers' compensation court to suspend the

employer's obligation to pay weekly benefits.

(2) By civil action in the district or superior court. Costs and counsel fees for the action

may be awarded to the employer or insurer.

(h) Any employee who by any fraudulent means obtains or attempts to obtain who,

by any fraudulent means, obtains, or attempts to obtain, workers' compensation benefits,

whether by failure to report earnings, falsification of the earnings report document, or

intentional misrepresentation, may forfeit the right to any future earnings; falsification of

the earnings report document; or intentional misrepresentation; may forfeit the right to any

future, weekly workers' compensation benefits as determined by the workers' compensation

court.

(i) Any employee who by any fraudulent means obtains or attempts to obtain who,

by any fraudulent means, obtains, or attempts to obtain, workers' compensation benefits to

which he or she was not entitled, whether by failure to report earnings, falsification of the

earnings report, or intentional misrepresentation, earnings; falsification of the earnings

report; or intentional misrepresentation; shall be deemed guilty of larceny pursuant to § 11-

41-4 or other pertinent criminal statutes of the state of Rhode Island. Each occurrence shall

constitute a separate and distinct offense.

(j) The administrator of the workers' compensation court, any workers' compensation

judge, or any representative of an employer may be the party complainant to any complaint and

warrant brought to invoke the criminal penalties provided for in this section, and the party

complainant shall, except for the representative of the employer, be exempt from giving surety for

costs in the action.

(k) All criminal actions for any violation of this section shall be prosecuted by the

attorney general.

(l) Where any employer or insurer intentionally and unreasonably utilizes the earnings

report required by subsection (d) of this section in order to harass an employee or delay payment

of benefits to an employee, a penalty of twenty percent (20%) shall be added to all amounts of

weekly compensation benefits due and owing.

28-33-17.3. Fraud and abuse. -- (a) (1) The workers' compensation court is authorized

and directed to impose sanctions and penalties necessary to maintain the integrity of of, and to

maintain the high standards of of, professional conduct in the workers' compensation system. All

pleadings related to proceedings under chapters 29 -- 38 of this title shall be considered an

attestation by counsel that valid grounds exist for the position taken and that the pleading is not

interposed for delay.

(2) If any judge determines that any proceedings have been brought, prosecuted, or

defended by an employer, insurer, or their counsel without reasonable grounds, then:

(i) The whole cost of the proceedings shall be assessed upon the employer, insurer, or

counsel, whoever is responsible; and

(ii) If a subsequent order requires that additional compensation be paid, a penalty of

double the amount of retroactive benefits ordered shall be paid to the employee and the penalty

shall not be included in any formula utilized to establish premium rates for workers'

compensation insurance.

(3) If any judge determines that any proceedings have been brought or defended by an

employee or his or her counsel without reasonable grounds, the whole cost of the proceedings

shall be assessed against the employee or counsel, whoever is responsible.

(4) The court shall determine whether an action or defense is frivolous or conduct giving

rise to the action or defense was unreasonable. Where the amount at issue is less than the actual

attorneys' fees of the parties combined, the court shall exercise particular vigilance. Nothing in

this subsection, however, is intended to discourage prompt payment in full of all amounts

required to be paid.

(5) The appropriate body with professional disciplinary authority over the attorney shall

be notified of the action.

(b) (1) It is unlawful to do any of the following:

(i) Make or cause to be made Make, or cause to be made, any knowingly false or

fraudulent material statement or material representation for the purpose of obtaining or denying

any compensation;

(ii) Present or cause to be presented Present, or cause to be presented, any

knowingly false or fraudulent written or oral material statement in support of, or in opposition to,

any claim for compensation or petition regarding the continuation, termination, or modification of

benefits;

(iii) Knowingly assist, aid and abet, solicit, or conspire with any person who engages in

an unlawful act under this section;

(iv) Make or cause to be made Make, or cause to be made, any knowingly false or

fraudulent statements with regard to entitlement to benefits with the intent to discourage an

injured worker from claiming benefits or pursuing a claim;

(v) Willfully misrepresent or fail to disclose any material fact in order to obtain workers'

compensation insurance at less than the proper rate for the insurance including, but not limited to,

intentionally misleading or failing to disclose information to an insurer regarding the appropriate

rate classification of an employee;

(vi) Willfully fail to provide a lower rate adjustment favorable to an employer as

required by an approved experience rating plan or regulations promulgated by the insurance

commissioners;

(vii) Willfully fail to report or provide false or misleading information regarding

ownership changes as required by an approved experience rating plan or regulations promulgated

by the insurance commissioner; or

(viii) Knowingly assist, aid and abet, solicit solicit, or conspire to coerce an employee to

willfully misrepresent an employee's status as a shareholder, director or officer of a corporation,

or as a member or manager of a limited liability limited-liability company, or as a partner, in a

general or, limited partnership, registered limited liability limited-liability partnership or a

registered limited liability limited-liability limited partnership, or as an independent contractor

for the purpose of avoiding the inclusion of that or other employees in a workers' compensation

insurance application, renewal or both.

(2) For the purposes of this section, "Statement statement" includes, but is not limited

to, any endorsement of a benefit check, check; signature on an agreement for electronic fund

transfer of compensation benefits or issuance of an electronic access device; application for

insurance coverage, coverage; oral or written statement, proof of injury, bill for services,

statement; proof of injury; bill for services; diagnosis, prescription, hospital or provider

records, x-rays, test results, records; x-rays; test results; or other documentation offered as

proof of, or in the absence of, a loss, injury, or expense.

(3) If it is determined that any person concealed or knowingly failed to disclose that

which is required by law to be revealed, revealed; knowingly gave or used perjured testimony or

false evidence, evidence; knowingly made a false statement of fact, fact; participated in the

creation or presentation of evidence which he or she knows to be false, false; or otherwise

engaged in conduct in violation of subdivision (1) of this subsection, that person shall be subject

in criminal proceedings to a fine and/or penalty not exceeding fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), or

double the value of the fraud, whichever is greater, or by imprisonment up to five (5) years in

state prison or both.

(4) There shall be a general amnesty until July 1, 1992 1992, for any person receiving

compensation under chapters 29 -- 38 of this title, to the extent compensation has been voluntarily

reduced or relinquished by the employee prior to that date.

attorney general, to be sent to all workers who are presently receiving benefits benefits, and

those for whom first reports of injury are filed in the future future, which that shall give the

employee notice that the endorsement of a benefit check sent pursuant to § 28-35-39 is the

employee's affirmation that he or she is qualified to receive benefits under the Workers'

Compensation Act. The insurers and self-insured employers are directed to send the form to all

workers receiving benefits.

(d) Any employer, or in any case where the employer is a corporation, the president,

vice president, secretary, treasurer, and other officers of the corporation, corporation; or in any

case where the employer is a limited liability limited-liability company, the managers, and the

managing members members; or in any case where the employer is a general partnership or a

registered limited liability partnership, registered, limited-liability partnership; or in the

case where the employer is a limited partnership or a registered limited liability limited

partnership, registered, limited-liability limited partnership; the partners, that who are found

to have violated this section or § 28-36-15, shall be guilty of a felony for failure to secure and

maintain compensation, and upon conviction, shall be subject to imprisonment of up to two (2)

years, a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or both. In any case where the

employer is a corporation, the president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and other officers of

the corporation, shall be severally liable for the fine or subject to imprisonment, or both. In any

case where the employer is a limited liability limited-liability company, the managers and

managing members shall be severally liable for the fine or subject to imprisonment, or both. In

any case where the employer is a partnership or a registered limited liability registered,

limited-liability partnership, the partners shall be severally liable for the fine or subject to

imprisonment, or both. In any case where the employer is a limited partnership or a registered

limited liability registered, limited-liability limited partnership, the general partners shall be

severally liable for the fine or subject to imprisonment, or both.

28-33-18.3. Continuation of benefits -- Partial incapacity. -- (a)(1) For all injuries

occurring on or after September 1, 1990, in those cases where the employee has received a notice

of intention to terminate partial incapacity benefits pursuant to § 28-33-18, the employee, or his

or her duly authorized representative, may file with the workers' compensation court a petition for

continuation of benefits on forms prescribed by the workers' compensation court. In any

proceeding before the workers' compensation court on a petition for continuation of partial

incapacity benefits, where the employee demonstrates by a fair preponderance of the evidence

that his or her partial incapacity poses a material hindrance to obtaining employment suitable to

his or her limitation, partial incapacity benefits shall continue. For injuries on and after July 1,

2018 2021, "material hindrance" is defined to include only compensable injuries causing a greater

than sixty-five percent (65%) degree of functional impairment and/or disability. Any period of

time for which the employee has received benefits for total incapacity shall not be included in the

calculation of the three hundred and twelve-week (312) period.

(2) The provisions of this subsection apply to all injuries from Sept. 1, 1990, to July 1,

2018 2021.

(b) (1) Where any employee's incapacity is partial and has extended for more than three

hundred and twelve (312) weeks and the employee has proved an entitlement to continued

benefits under subsection (a) of this section, payments made to these incapacitated employees

shall be increased annually on the tenth (10th) day of May thereafter so long as the employee

remains incapacitated. The increase shall be by an amount equal to the total percentage increase

in the annual Consumer Price Index, United States City Average for Urban Wage Earners and

Clerical Workers, as formulated and computed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United

States Department of Labor for the period of March 1 to February 28 each year.

(2) "Index" as used in this section “Index”, as used in this section, refers to the

Consumer Price Index, United States City Average for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical

Workers, as that index was formulated and computed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the

United States Department of Labor.

(3) The annual increase shall be based upon the percentage increase, if any, in the

Consumer Price Index for the month of a given year, over the index for February, the previous

year. Thereafter, increases shall be made on May 10 annually, based upon the percentage

increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for the period of March 1 to February 28.

(4) The computations in this section shall be made by the director of labor and training

and promulgated to insurers and employers making payments required by this section. Increases

shall be paid by insurers and employers without further order of the court. If payment payable

under this section is not mailed within fourteen (14) days after the employer or insurer has been

notified by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the state it becomes due, there

shall be added to the unpaid payment an amount equal to twenty percent (20%) of it, to be paid at

the same time as, but in addition to, the payment.

(5) This section applies only to payment of weekly indemnity benefits to employees as

described in subdivision (1) of this subsection, subsection and does not apply to specific

compensation payments for loss of use or disfigurement or payment of dependency benefits or

any other benefits payable under the workers' compensation act.

employee is receiving benefits pursuant to this section.

SECTION 3. Sections 28-35-39 and 28-35-40 of the General Laws in Chapter 28-35

entitled "Workers' Compensation - Procedure" are hereby amended to read as follows:

28-35-39. Payment of compensation. -- Compensation under chapters 29 -- 38 of this

title shall be paid by check as defined in § 6A-3-104(f) and not by draft, or if mutually agreed

upon by both the employee and the employer or its insurer in accordance with § 28-35-40, by

electronic fund transfer, or by electronic access device, at no cost to the employee, with the

exception of any third-party transactional fees incurred by the employee and shall be paid

promptly and directly to the person entitled to it. The check shall contain the following language:

"I understand that endorsement hereon or deposit to my accounts constitutes my affirmation that I

am receiving these workers' compensation benefits pursuant to law, that I have made no false

claims or statements or concealed any material fact, in order to receive these benefits and that

doing so would make me liable for civil and criminal penalties, including jail". If paid by

electronic fund transfer or by electronic access device, said notice shall be satisfied in accordance

with § 28-33-17.2(c)(2). The insurer/employer and/or its third-party administrator shall not have,

or be entitled to gain, access to the details of electronic transactions without the express written

consent of the employee or court order from a court of competent jurisdiction.

28-35-40. Mailing of weekly compensation Delivery of weekly compensation. --

Whenever the employee is entitled to weekly compensation under chapters 29 -- 38 of this title,

the employer, and/or insurance carrier, until further order of the workers' compensation court,

shall cause to be paid by electronic fund transfer; or issued as an electronic access device; or

mailed first class first-class mail to the employee, addressed to his or her last known residence,

residence; each week the amount of compensation payable to the employee as it may be due.

Electronic fund transfer payments or issuance of an electronic access device shall be permitted if

mutually agreed upon by the employee and the employer or its insurer on forms provided by the

department of labor and training, which may be rescinded at will by either party on forms

provided by the department of labor and training and filed with the department.

SECTION 4. Sections 28-53-2 and 28-53-7 of the General Laws in Chapter 28-53

entitled "Rhode Island Uninsured Employers Fund" are hereby amended to read as follows:

28-53-2. Establishment -- Sources -- Administration. -- (a) There shall be established

within the department of labor and training a special restricted receipt account to be known as the

Rhode Island uninsured employers fund. The fund shall be capitalized from excise taxes assessed

against uninsured employers pursuant to the provisions of § 28-53-9 of this chapter and from

general revenues appropriated by the legislature. Beginning in state fiscal year ending June 30,

2016 2017, the legislature may appropriate up to two million dollars ($2,000,000) in general

revenue funds annually for deposit into the Rhode Island uninsured employers fund.

(b) All moneys in the fund shall be mingled and undivided. The fund shall be

administered by the director of the department of labor and training training, or his or her

designee, but in no case shall the director incur any liability beyond the amounts paid into and

earned by the fund.

employers are intended to be excise taxes and as such, all ambiguities and uncertainties are to be

resolved in favor of a determination that such assessments are excise taxes.

28-53-7. Payments to employees of uninsured employers. -- (a) Where it is determined

that the employee was injured in the course of employment while working for an employer who

fails to maintain a policy of workers' compensation insurance as required by Rhode Island

general laws § 28-36-1, § 28-36-1 et seq., the uninsured employers fund shall pay the benefits to

which the injured employee would be entitled pursuant to chapters 29 to 38 of this title subject to

the limitations set forth herein.

(b) The workers' compensation court shall hear all petitions for payment from the fund

pursuant to Rhode Island general laws § 28-30-1, § 28-30-1 et seq., provided, however, that the

uninsured employers fund and the employer shall be named as parties to any petition seeking

payment of benefits from the fund.

employers fund, the fund shall pay benefits for disability and medical expenses as provided

pursuant to chapters 29 to 38 of this title except that the employee shall not be entitled to receive

benefits for loss of function and disfigurement pursuant to the provisions of Rhode Island

general laws § 28-33-19.

(d) The fund shall pay cost, counsel and witness fees fees, as provided in Rhode Island

general laws § 28-35-32 § 28-35-32, to any employee who successfully prosecutes any petitions

for compensation, petitions for medical expenses, compensation; petitions for medical

expenses; petitions to amend a pretrial order or memorandum of agreement and all other

employee petitions agreement; and all other employee petitions; and to employees who

successfully defend, in whole or in part, proceedings seeking to reduce or terminate any and all

workers' compensation benefits; provided, however, that the attorney's fees awarded to counsel

who represent the employee in petitions for lump sum commutation filed pursuant to Rhode

Island general laws § 28-33-25 § 28-33-25, or in the settlement of disputed cases pursuant to

Rhode Island general laws § 28-33-25.1 § 28-33-25.1, shall be limited to the maximum amount

paid to counsel who serve as court appointed court-appointed attorneys in workers'

compensation proceedings as established by rule or order of the Rhode Island supreme court.

(e) In the event that the uninsured employer makes payment of any monies to the

employee to compensate the employee for lost wages or medical expenses, the fund shall be

entitled to a credit for all such monies received by or on behalf of the employee against any future

benefits payable directly to the employee.

(f) This section shall apply to injuries that occur on or after January 1, 2016 2017.

SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC002549/SUB A

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