Assembly Bill 232 proposes a significant restructuring of Wisconsin's workers' compensation system by transferring adjudicatory functions from the Division of Hearings and Appeals (DHA) to the Department of Workforce Development (DWD). The bill includes the repeal of specific statutes, such as 102.01 (2) (ad) and 102.15 (1) (b), and amends various sections to replace references to the "division" with "department." This consolidation aims to centralize the handling of disputed workers' compensation claims within DWD, thereby streamlining the process and enhancing efficiency in adjudications.

Additionally, the bill modifies existing statutes related to the determination of treatment necessity for injured employees and the reasonableness of prescription drug charges. It allows DWD to seek expert opinions on treatment necessity but does not mandate it, while also clarifying that health service providers and insurers must adhere to the department's determinations unless altered. The bill further refines the dispute resolution process for prescription drug charges, empowering DWD to make determinations on the reasonableness of drug costs and notify relevant parties of disputes, thereby removing references to the division and centralizing authority within the department.

Statutes affected:
Text as Enrolled: 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), 102.16(2)(b), 102.16(2m)(a), 102.16(2m)(b), 102.16(4), 102.17(1)(a)1, 102.17
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)