The proposed bill would amend current statutes related to workers' compensation in Arizona by updating the definitions and requirements for the Industrial Commission of Arizona (ICA). Specifically, it would expand the definition of "interested party" to include third-party administrators and authorized representatives, and it would modify the definition of "serve" to encompass electronic transmission methods that ensure effective notice unless the receiving party opts out. Additionally, the bill mandates that the ICA establish a schedule of fees for healthcare, dental care, and supplies for injured employees, while exempting contracts necessary for developing dental care fee schedules from the State Procurement Code. The ICA would also be required to publish this fee schedule on its website, without the obligation to include it in the Arizona Administrative Register.

Furthermore, the bill proposes to increase the monthly dependent allowance for employees receiving temporary total disability compensation from $25 to $100, applicable only to claims filed on or after the effective date of the act. It retains the current compensation rate of 66.667 percent of the average monthly wage during periods of disability but clarifies that the additional allowance for dependents is not based on the number of dependents. The bill also includes technical and conforming changes to ensure consistency with the new provisions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 23-901, 23-908, 23-1045, 41-1715, 23-1041, 35-192.01, 26-314, 17-214, 23-901.01, 23-901.09, 23-1105, 32-1963.01, 12-2235, 23-1070
Senate Engrossed Version: 23-901, 23-908, 23-1045, 41-1715, 23-1041, 35-192.01, 26-314, 17-214, 23-901.01, 23-901.09, 23-1105, 32-1963.01, 12-2235, 23-1070
House Engrossed Version: 23-901, 23-908, 23-1045, 41-1715, 23-1041, 35-192.01, 26-314, 17-214, 23-901.01, 23-901.09, 23-1105, 32-1963.01, 12-2235, 23-1070