House Bill No. 618 seeks to improve the workers' compensation system in Louisiana by enhancing the procedures for accident reporting and access to medical records related to claims. The bill amends R.S. 23:1127 to require employers or their representatives to provide a medical records release authorization form to employees, which must be signed and returned; failure to do so may result in the suspension of benefits. It also emphasizes the confidentiality of medical information and establishes penalties for employers who do not submit required reports. Additionally, the bill clarifies the responsibilities of healthcare providers in releasing medical information and retains provisions that allow for discussions without a subpoena.

The proposed legislation modifies the timeline for notifying employers of injuries, mandating that notice be given within 30 days of the incident. If notice is provided after this period, it creates a rebuttable presumption that the injury did not occur in the course of employment, barring claims for penalties or attorney fees related to denied benefits. The bill also introduces expedited summary proceedings for employees seeking to lift a suspension of benefits due to non-compliance and imposes a $500 penalty on employers for failing to submit required reports within ten days of receiving notice of an injury, unless good cause is shown. Overall, House Bill No. 618 aims to streamline processes and clarify responsibilities for both employees and employers within the workers' compensation framework.

Statutes affected:
HB618 Original:
HB618 Engrossed: 23:1(A)
HB618 Reengrossed: 23:1(A)