Senate Bill 229 proposes a significant restructuring of the adjudicatory functions related to disputed workers' compensation claims by transferring these responsibilities from the Division of Hearings and Appeals (DHA) to the Department of Workforce Development (DWD). The bill includes the repeal of several existing statutes, specifically sections 102.01 (2) (ad), 102.15 (1) (b), and 102.18 (1) (b) 1t., and amends other sections to reflect this shift in authority. The updated language in sections such as 40.65 (2) (b) 3. and 102.13 (1) (c) clarifies that the DWD will now manage appeals and examinations, aiming to streamline the workers' compensation adjudication process and enhance efficiency.

Furthermore, the bill addresses the determination of treatment necessity for injured employees and the assessment of prescription drug charges. It allows the DWD to seek expert opinions when evaluating treatment necessity but does not require it, while also clarifying that the department will deny payment for unnecessary treatments. The legislation modifies the process for disputes over prescription drug charges, removing references to the division and placing the responsibility solely on the DWD to determine the reasonableness of such charges. Parties involved in these disputes must adhere to the department's determinations unless they are modified or overturned through specified processes.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 40.65(2)(b)3, 40.65, 40.65(2)(b)4, 102.01(2)(ad), 102.01, 102.01(2)(dm), 102.04(2r)(b), 102.04, 102.07(8)(c), 102.07, 102.12, 102.13(1)(c), 102.13, 102.13(1)(d)2, 102.13(1)(d)3, 102.13(1)(f), 102.13(2)(a), 102.13(3), 102.13(4), 102.13(5), 102.14(title), 102.14, 102.14(1), 102.14(2), 102.15(1)(b), 102.15, 102.16(1), 102.16, 102.16(1m)(a), 102.16(1m)(b), 102.16(1m)(c), 102.16(2)(a)