HB 1462-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2018 SESSION
18-2345
01/06
HOUSE BILL 1462-FN
AN ACT relative to health and dental benefits under the workers' compensation law.
SPONSORS: Rep. Richardson, Coos 4; Sen. Woodburn, Dist 1
COMMITTEE: Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
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ANALYSIS
This bill requires employers who offer health or dental benefits, or both, to its employees to maintain that coverage for an employee who has filed a compensable claim under the workers' compensation law for 24 months or until the employee has returned to work, whichever is shorter.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
18-2345
01/06
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eighteen
AN ACT relative to health and dental benefits under the workers' compensation law.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; Workers' Compensation; Health and Dental Coverage. Amend RSA 281-A by inserting after section 22 the following new section:
281-A:22-a Health and Dental Coverage. Any employer subject to this chapter that provides coverage for health or dental insurance, or both, to its employees shall maintain such coverage for the benefit of an employee who has filed a claim which is found to be compensable under this chapter for 24 months or until the employee has returned to work, whichever is shorter.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2019.
18-2345
10/30/17
HB 1462-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT relative to health and dental benefits under the workers' compensation law.
FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ X ] County [ X ] Local [ ] None
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| Estimated Increase / (Decrease) | |||
STATE: | FY 2019 | FY 2020 | FY 2021 | FY 2022 |
Appropriation | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Expenditures | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase |
Funding Source: | [ X ] General [ ] Education [ ] Highway [ X ] Other - Various Governmental Funds | |||
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COUNTY: |
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Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Expenditures | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase |
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LOCAL: |
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Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Expenditures | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase |
METHODOLOGY:
This bill would require employers, including the state, county and local governments that offer health or dental benefits to employees to maintain coverage for employees on workers' compensation for 24 months or until the employee returns to work, whichever is shorter.
The Department of Administrative Services assumes health and dental coverage would continue for employees terminated within the 24-month period and the employer and employee contributions toward the cost would be the same as if the employee was working. The State's collective bargaining agreements require the State to continue health and dental coverage for employees on workers' compensation as long as the individuals are employed. The Department indicates individuals on lengthy worker' compensation absences often file to receive a disability pension with the New Hampshire Retirement System and, if accepted, may enroll in the retiree health plan. The Department assumes an employee on workers' compensation may choose to delay retirement for the full 24-month period since health care premiums for employees are less than health premiums for retirees. The Department states the potential fiscal impact would be the cost of providing coverage for a number of former employees and the cost to administer, monitor and invoice for the additional coverage. The Department assumes it would need an additional part-time or full time accounting position and a program specialist, but the need and costs cannot be determined since it is unknown how many employees would be eligible.
The New Hampshire Association of Counties indicates there could be a fiscal impact to the counties which would vary depending on what each county provides for health care benefits. There would be no impact on county revenues.
The New Hampshire Municipal Association states municipal employers are subject to the workers' compensation statute and this bill may require municipalities to provide additional health or dental coverage. The Association indicates any additional costs would depend on a variety of circumstances which cannot be anticipated. There would be no impact on municipal revenues.
The Department of Labor assumes there would be an indeterminable increase in state, county and local expenditures and no increase in state, county or local revenue. The Department indicates there would be no additional revenue or expenditures to the Department for administration.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Departments of Administrative Services and Labor, New Hampshire Association of Counties and New Hampshire Municipal Association
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 31, 2018 | House | Hearing |
| Feb. 21, 2018 | House | Exec Session |
| House | Floor Vote | |
| March 6, 2018 | House | Floor Vote |
| March 15, 2018 | House | Floor Vote |
March 15, 2018: Inexpedient to Legislate: MA RC 175-157 03/15/2018 HJ 8 P. 24
: Special Order to 3/15/2018 Without Objection HJ 7 P. 49
March 6, 2018: Suspend House Rule 65 (Reps. Hinch, Shurtleff): MA VV by necessary two-thirds vote 03/06/2018 HJ 6 P. 125
: Minority Committee Report: Ought to Pass
March 6, 2018: Majority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate for 03/06/2018 (Vote 12-9; RC) HC 9 P. 61
: Majority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate (Vote 12-9; RC)
Feb. 21, 2018: Executive Session: 02/21/2018 LOB 307
Jan. 31, 2018: Public Hearing: 01/31/2018 10:00 AM LOB 307
Jan. 3, 2018: Introduced 01/03/2018 and referred to Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services HJ 1 P. 11