The state Senate recently advanced H.B. 1840, which would enact reforms to Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Compensation (WC) system.
“Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Compensation system is a costly requirement that employers across the state contribute to each year,” Rep. Rob Kauffman (R-Franklin), who authored the bill, said. “In order to make sure the system is helping those injured on the job, while still keeping costs in check, I have authored legislation that would provide hundreds of millions of dollars in relief from Workers’ Compensation costs for Pennsylvania employers.”
Last year, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision invalidated a major cost control provision of the Workers’ Compensation system, which was enacted in the 1990s. H.B. 1840, Kaufmann noted, would restore that provision while complying with the court’s ruling.
“This has been a major issue for Pennsylvania’s business community, which was being unfairly impacted by the court’s decision,” Kauffman said. “We need to work with our business community in order to retain and create more jobs here in the Commonwealth. By enacting pro-business legislation, we are also helping workers and the families they support.”
The legislation would also increase the burial benefits for victims of workplace fatalities from $3,000 to $7,000.
The bill now heads to the Gov. Tom Wolf for signature.