House approves WSI Reform legislation

The House of Representatives today approved several measures aimed at increasing service and performance at Workforce Safety and Insurance (WSI). The measures include a restructuring of the WSI board, increased legislative oversight and increased benefits for injured workers.

“Workers compensation has come a long way since the reforms in the late 1990’s,” said Rep. George Keiser (R – Bismarck). “Injured workers are receiving benefits much faster with reduced incidence of litigation and fraud.”

HB 1460 reforms the WSI Board of Directors by including three new non-voting members who represent the healthcare industry, the information technology industry and the insurance industry. The board will no longer interview nominees or submit names of new candidates for open positions. Instead, the candidates’ names will be submitted to the Governor who will make the final selection. Also, board members will be limited to serving two consecutive terms.

HB 1038 is the work of the interim Legislative Workers’ Compensation Review Committee. The bill expands benefits available for catastrophically injured workers as well as survivors of workers killed on the job. Surviving spouses and dependant children would also be eligible to take part in the WSI Educational and Revolving Loan Fund established during the last legislative session.

HB 1156 removes the sunset provision from the interim Workers Compensation Review Committee which was created during the last legislative session. The committee has brought together stakeholders in the process including legislators to review WSI policy. The committee will also carefully monitor the progress made on improvements suggested during the recent WSI audit.

Workers compensation reform efforts of the past decade, legislative oversight by the WSI Board of Directors and the efforts of the business community have led to a much improved and stable workers compensation system. The policy and operational reforms have resulted in the following:

Increased accountability
Improved service and overall benefit delivery
A more equitable benefit structure
A strong overall financial position

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