The bill amends various sections of the West Virginia Code concerning workers' compensation, focusing on modernizing the legal framework for disability and death benefits. Key changes include the removal of outdated provisions, such as the employer's notice requirement for permanent total disability requests and the notification requirement for autopsy orders. The bill also standardizes references to public offices, clarifies the Board of Review's membership structure, and modifies the voting process on administrative matters. Additionally, it repeals obsolete sections of the code, streamlining the workers' compensation process, and revises injury reporting procedures to ensure timely communication and compliance.

Further amendments clarify eligibility for temporary total disability benefits for individuals confined in correctional facilities, stipulating that benefits are limited to three days during confinement. The bill also outlines the responsibilities of the Insurance Commissioner and private carriers in managing medical service payments, emphasizing verification of claims. It introduces provisions for managing health care services, including the use of generic medications and restrictions on employer contracts with hospitals. The legislation aims to enhance the efficiency of the workers' compensation system while ensuring that benefits are appropriately managed and disbursed, including guidelines for permanent total disability benefits and the establishment of the Workers Compensation Board of Review to oversee objections to decisions made by the Insurance Commissioner.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 23-4-1a, 23-4-1b, 23-4-1c, 23-4-1d, 23-4-1e, 23-4-3, 23-4-4, 23-4-5, 23-4-6, 23-4-6a, 23-4-6d, 23-4-7, 23-4-7a, 23-4-8a, 23-4-8b, 23-4-8c, 23-4-9, 23-4-11, 23-4-12, 23-4-14, 23-4-15, 23-4-15a, 23-4-15b, 23-4-16, 23-4-16a, 23-4-17, 23-4-18, 23-4-20, 23-4-23, 23-4-24, 23-4-25, 23-5-2, 23-5-4, 23-5-7, 23-5-11a, 23-5-14, 23-4-3b, 23-4-3c, 23-4-22, 23-5-1, 23-5-3, 23-5-5, 23-5-6, 23-5-8, 23-5-9, 23-5-10, 23-5-11, 23-5-12, 23-5-13, 23-5-16
Committee Substitute: 23-4-1a, 23-4-1b, 23-4-1c, 23-4-1d, 23-4-1e, 23-4-3, 23-4-4, 23-4-5, 23-4-6, 23-4-6a, 23-4-6d, 23-4-7, 23-4-7a, 23-4-8a, 23-4-8b, 23-4-8c, 23-4-9, 23-4-11, 23-4-12, 23-4-14, 23-4-15, 23-4-15a, 23-4-15b, 23-4-16, 23-4-16a, 23-4-17, 23-4-18, 23-4-20, 23-4-23, 23-4-24, 23-4-25, 23-5-2, 23-5-4, 23-5-7, 23-5-11a, 23-5-14, 23-4-3b, 23-4-3c, 23-4-22, 23-5-1, 23-5-3, 23-5-5, 23-5-6, 23-5-8, 23-5-9, 23-5-10, 23-5-11, 23-5-12, 23-5-13, 23-5-15, 23-5-16
Engrossed Committee Substitute: 23-4-1a, 23-4-1b, 23-4-1c, 23-4-1d, 23-4-1e, 23-4-3, 23-4-4, 23-4-5, 23-4-6, 23-4-6a, 23-4-6d, 23-4-7, 23-4-7a, 23-4-8a, 23-4-8b, 23-4-8c, 23-4-9, 23-4-11, 23-4-12, 23-4-14, 23-4-15, 23-4-15a, 23-4-15b, 23-4-16, 23-4-16a, 23-4-17, 23-4-18, 23-4-20, 23-4-23, 23-4-24, 23-4-25, 23-5-2, 23-5-4, 23-5-7, 23-5-11a, 23-5-14, 23-4-3b, 23-4-3c, 23-4-22, 23-5-1, 23-5-3, 23-5-5, 23-5-6, 23-5-8, 23-5-9, 23-5-10, 23-5-11, 23-5-12, 23-5-13, 23-5-15, 23-5-16
Enrolled Committee Substitute: 23-4-1a, 23-4-1b, 23-4-1c, 23-4-1d, 23-4-1e, 23-4-3, 23-4-4, 23-4-5, 23-4-6, 23-4-6a, 23-4-6d, 23-4-7, 23-4-7a, 23-4-8a, 23-4-8b, 23-4-8c, 23-4-9, 23-4-11, 23-4-12, 23-4-14, 23-4-15, 23-4-15a, 23-4-15b, 23-4-16, 23-4-16a, 23-4-17, 23-4-18, 23-4-20, 23-4-23, 23-4-24, 23-4-25, 23-5-2, 23-5-4, 23-5-7, 23-5-11a, 23-5-14, 23-4-3b, 23-4-3c, 23-4-22, 23-5-1, 23-5-3, 23-5-5, 23-5-6, 23-5-8, 23-5-9, 23-5-10, 23-5-11, 23-5-12, 23-5-13, 23-5-15, 23-5-16