Changes in store for Kentucky comp system

Lawmakers in Kentucky are set to consider changes to the way the comp system is structured and which doctors will be allowed to work with those suffering from occupational hearing loss, according to two bills introduced Tuesday.

S.B. 47 would amend state law to create a Kentucky Workers' Compensation Funding Commission to replace the Division of Workers' Compensation Funds and allow the commission to administer the fund. The bill would also replace the secretary of the Labor Cabinet with the board of directors of the commission, among a host of other restructuring changes.

H.B. 125, sent to the House Economic Development & Workforce Investment Committee, would amend Kentucky law to adjust the licensing requirements for physicians contracting with the state workers compensation commissioner to perform evaluations in occupational disease claims for hearing loss and would allow the commissioner to select a physician or medical facility for referral in occupational disease claims.