The bill amends the Worker's Disability Compensation Act of 1969 by updating several sections related to death benefits and dependency determinations. Key changes include the stipulation that if an employee dies due to a personal injury, the employer must provide weekly payments to dependents equal to 80% of the employee's after-tax average weekly wage for up to 500 weeks, with provisions for continued payments if dependents are under 21 years of age. The bill also clarifies the definitions of wholly and partially dependent individuals, ensuring that compensation is calculated based on the employee's income and the dependency status of the individuals involved.

Additionally, the bill modifies the compensation structure for dependents, including spouses and children, by establishing a presumption of dependency for spouses living with the employee at the time of death for a period of 208 weeks. It also raises the maximum allowable expense for funeral and burial costs from $6,000 to $12,000. Other adjustments include the ability for injured employees to petition for increased benefits after two years of continuous disability if their compensation is below 50% of the state average weekly wage. Overall, the amendments aim to provide clearer guidelines and improved support for dependents of deceased employees while ensuring fair compensation for injured workers.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 418.321