SB550: Bill Text

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

SB550,1 Section 1. 20.445 (1) (ra) of the statutes, as affected by 2013 Wisconsin Act 20, is amended to read:

SB550,12,6 20.445 (1) (ra) Worker's compensation operations fund; administration. From the worker's compensation operations fund, the amounts in the schedule for the administration of the worker's compensation program by the department , for assistance to the department of justice in investigating and prosecuting fraudulent activity related to worker's compensation, for transfer to the uninsured employers fund under s. 102.81 (1) (c), and for transfer to the appropriation accounts under par. (rp) and sub. (2) (ra). All moneys received under ss. 102.28 (2) (b) and 102.75 shall be credited to this appropriation account. From this appropriation, an amount not to exceed $5,000 may be expended each fiscal year for payment of expenses for travel and research by the council on worker's compensation, an amount not to exceed $500,000 may be transferred in each fiscal year to the uninsured employers fund under s. 102.81 (1) (c), the amount in the schedule under par. (rp) shall be transferred to the appropriation account under par. (rp), and the amount in the schedule under sub. (2) (ra) shall be transferred to the appropriation account under sub. (2) (ra).

SB550,2 Section 2. 101.654 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB550,12,12 101.654 (2) (b) If the applicant is required under s. 102.28 (2) (a) to have in force a policy of worker's compensation insurance or if the applicant is self-insured in accordance with s. 102.28 (2) (b) or (bm), that the applicant has in force a policy of worker's compensation insurance issued by an insurer authorized to do business in this state or is self-insured in accordance with s. 102.28 (2) (b) or (bm).

SB550,3 Section 3. 102.01 (2) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB550,12,19 102.01 (2) (d) "Municipality" includes a county, city, town, village, school district, sewer district, drainage district and long-term care district and "Local governmental unit" means a political subdivision of this state; a special purpose district or taxing jurisdiction, as defined in s. 70.114 (1) (f), in this state; an instrumentality, corporation, combination, or subunit of any of the foregoing; or any other public or quasi-public corporations corporation.

SB550,4 Section 4. 102.03 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB550,13,2 102.03 (4) The right to compensation and the amount of the compensation shall in all cases be determined in accordance with the provisions of law in effect as of the date of the injury except as to employees whose rate of compensation is changed as provided in ss. 102.43 (7) or 102.44 (1), (1m), (4m), or (5) or, before May 1, 2014 2016, as provided in s. 102.43 (5) (c) and employees who are eligible to receive private rehabilitative counseling and rehabilitative training under s. 102.61 (1m) and except as provided in s. 102.555 (12) (b).

SB550,5 Section 5. 102.04 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB550,13,6 102.04 (1) (a) The state, and each county, city, town, village, school district, sewer district, drainage district, long-term care district and other public or quasi-public corporations therein local governmental unit in this state.

SB550,6 Section 6. 102.04 (2m) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB550,13,16 102.04 (2m) A temporary help agency is the employer of an employee whom the temporary help agency has placed with or leased to another employer that compensates the temporary help agency for the employee's services. A temporary help agency is liable under s. 102.03 for all compensation and other payments payable under this chapter to or with respect to that employee, including any payments required under s. 102.16 (3), 102.18 (1) (b) 3. or (bp), 102.22 (1), 102.35 (3), 102.57, or 102.60. Except as permitted under s. 102.29, a temporary help agency may not seek or receive reimbursement from another employer for any payments made as a result of that liability.

SB550,7 Section 7. 102.07 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB550,14,4 102.07 (1) (a) Every person, including all officials, in the service of the state, or of any municipality therein local governmental unit in this state, whether elected or under any appointment, or contract of hire, express or implied, and whether a resident of the state or employed or injured within or without the state. The state and or any municipality local governmental unit may require a bond from a contractor to protect the state or municipality local governmental unit against compensation to employees of such the contractor or to employees of a subcontractor under the contractor. This paragraph does not apply beginning on the first day of the first July beginning after the day that the secretary files the certificate under s. 102.80 (3) (a), except that if the secretary files the certificate under s. 102.80 (3) (ag) this paragraph does apply to claims for compensation filed on or after the date specified in that certificate.

SB550,8 Section 8. 102.07 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB550,14,13 102.07 (1) (b) Every person, including all officials, in the service of the state, or of any municipality therein local governmental unit in this state, whether elected or under any appointment, or contract of hire, express or implied, and whether a resident of the state or employed or injured within or without the state. This paragraph first applies on the first day of the first July beginning after the day that the secretary files the certificate under s. 102.80 (3) (a), except that if the secretary files the certificate under s. 102.80 (3) (ag) this paragraph does apply to claims for compensation filed on or after the date specified in that certificate.

SB550,9 Section 9. 102.07 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB550,14,21 102.07 (3) Nothing herein contained shall prevent municipalities in this chapter prevents a local governmental unit from paying teachers, police officers, fire fighters and other employees a teacher, police officer, fire fighter, or any other employee his or her full salaries salary during a period of disability, nor interfere interferes with any pension funds fund, nor prevent prevents payment to teachers, police officers or fire fighters therefrom a teacher, police officer, fire fighter, or any other employee from a pension fund.

SB550,10 Section 10. 102.07 (7) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB550,15,7 102.07 (7) (a) Every member of a volunteer fire company or fire department organized under ch. 213, a legally organized rescue squad, or a legally organized diving team is considered to be an employee of that company, department, squad, or team. Every member of a company, department, squad, or team described in this paragraph, while serving as an auxiliary police officer at an emergency, is also considered to be an employee of that company, department, squad, or team. If a company, department, squad, or team described in this paragraph has not insured its liability for compensation to its employees, the municipality or county political subdivision within which that company, department, squad, or team was organized shall be liable for that compensation.

SB550,11 Section 11. 102.07 (10) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB550,15,19 102.07 (10) Further to effectuate the policy of the state that the benefits of this chapter shall extend and be granted to employees in the service of the state, or of any municipality therein local governmental unit in this state, on the same basis, in the same manner, under the same conditions, and with like right of recovery as in the case of employees of persons, firms, or private corporations, any question whether any person is an employee under this chapter shall be governed by and determined under the same standards, considerations, and rules of decision in all cases under subs. (1) to (9). Any statutes, ordinances, or administrative regulations which statute, ordinance, or rule that may be otherwise applicable to the classes of employees enumerated in sub. (1) shall not be controlling in deciding whether any person is an employee for the purposes of this chapter.

SB550,12 Section 12. 102.07 (12m) of the statutes is renumbered 102.07 (12m) (b) and amended to read:

SB550,16,5 102.07 (12m) (b) A student of a public school, as described in s. 115.01 (1), or a private school, as defined in s. 115.001 (3r), or an institution of higher education, while he or she is engaged in performing services as part of a school work training, work experience, or work study program, and who is not on the payroll of an employer that is providing the work training or work experience or who is not otherwise receiving compensation on which a worker's compensation carrier could assess premiums on that employer, is an employee of a school district or, private school, or institution of higher education that elects under s. 102.077 to name the student as its employee.

SB550,13 Section 13. 102.07 (12m) (a) of the statutes is created to read:

SB550,16,7 102.07 (12m) (a) In this subsection:

SB550,16,12 1. "Institution of higher education" means an institution within the University of Wisconsin System, a technical college, a tribally controlled college controlled by an Indian tribe that has elected under s. 102.05 (2) to become subject to this chapter, a school approved under s. 38.50, or a private, nonprofit institution of higher education located in this state.

SB550,16,13 2. "Private school" has the meaning given in s. 115.001 (3r).

SB550,16,14 3. "Public school" means a school described in s. 115.01 (1).

SB550,14 Section 14. 102.077 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB550,17,2 102.077 (1) A school district or a , private school, as defined in s. 115.001 (3r), or institution of higher education may elect to name as its employee for purposes of this chapter a student described in s. 102.07 (12m) (b) by an endorsement on its policy of worker's compensation insurance or, if the school district or, private school, or institution of higher education is exempt from the duty to insure under s. 102.28 (2) (a), by filing a declaration with the department in the manner provided in s. 102.31 (2) (a) naming the student as an employee of the school district or, private school, or institution of higher education for purposes of this chapter. A declaration under this subsection shall list the name of the student to be covered under this chapter, the name and address of the employer that is providing the work training or work experience for that student, and the title, if any, of the work training, work experience, or work study program in which the student is participating.

SB550,15 Section 15. 102.077 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB550,17,9 102.077 (2) A school district or, private school, or institution of higher education may revoke a declaration under sub. (1) by providing written notice to the department in the manner provided in s. 102.31 (2) (a), the student , and the employer who is providing the work training or work experience for that student. A revocation under this subsection is effective 30 days after the department receives notice of that revocation.

SB550,16 Section 16. 102.11 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB550,18,2 102.11 (1) (intro.) The average weekly earnings for temporary disability, permanent total disability, or death benefits for injury in each calendar year on or after January 1, 1982, shall be not less than $30 nor more than the wage rate that results in a maximum compensation rate of 110 percent of the state's average weekly earnings as determined under s. 108.05 as of June 30 of the previous year. The average weekly earnings for permanent partial disability shall be not less than $30 and, for permanent partial disability for injuries occurring on or after April 17, 2012, and before January 1, 2013, not more than $468, resulting in a maximum compensation rate of $312, and, for permanent partial disability for injuries occurring on or after January 1, 2013, not more than $483, resulting in a maximum compensation rate of $322, except as provided in 2011 Wisconsin Act 183, section 30 (2) (a) 1 the effective date of this subsection .... [LRB inserts date], and before January 1, 2015, not more than $506, resulting in a maximum compensation rate of $337, and, for permanent partial disability for injuries occurring on or after January 1, 2015, not more than $528, resulting in a maximum compensation rate of $352. Between such limits the average weekly earnings shall be determined as follows:

SB550,17 Section 17. 102.125 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB550,18,5 102.125 (title) Fraudulent claims Fraud reporting and, investigation, and prosecution.

SB550,18 Section 18. 102.125 of the statutes is renumbered 102.125 (1) and amended to read:

SB550,18,17 102.125 (1) Fraudulent claims reporting and investigation. If an insurer or self-insured employer has evidence that a claim is false or fraudulent in violation of s. 943.395 and if the insurer or self-insured employer is satisfied that reporting the claim to the department will not impede its ability to defend the claim, the insurer or self-insured employer shall report the claim to the department. The department may require an insurer or self-insured employer to investigate an allegedly false or fraudulent claim and may provide the insurer or self-insured employer with any records of the department relating to that claim. An insurer or self-insured employer that investigates a claim under this section subsection shall report on the results of that investigation to the department.

SB550,18,23 (3) Prosecution. If based on the an investigation under sub. (1) or (2) the department has a reasonable basis to believe that a violation of s. 943.20, 943.38, 943.39, 943.392, 943.395, 943.40, or any other criminal law has occurred, the department shall refer the results of the investigation to the department of justice or to the district attorney of the county in which the alleged violation occurred for prosecution.

SB550,19 Section 19. 102.125 (2) of the statutes is created to read:

SB550,19,5 102.125 (2) Assistance by department of justice. The department of workforce development may request the department of justice to assist the department of workforce development in an investigation under sub. (1) or in the investigation of any other suspected fraudulent activity on the part of an employer, employee, insurer, health care provider, or other person related to worker's compensation.

SB550,20 Section 20. 102.13 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB550,19,17 102.13 (2) (b) A physician, chiropractor, podiatrist, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse prescriber, hospital, or health service provider shall furnish a legible, certified duplicate of the written material requested under par. (a) in paper format upon payment of the actual costs of preparing the certified duplicate, not to exceed the greater of 45 cents per page or $7.50 per request, plus the actual costs of postage, or shall furnish a legible, certified duplicate of that material in electronic format upon payment of $26 per request. Any person who refuses to provide certified duplicates of written material in the person's custody that is requested under par. (a) shall be liable for reasonable and necessary costs and, notwithstanding s. 814.04 (1), reasonable attorney fees incurred in enforcing the requester's right to the duplicates under par. (a).

SB550,21 Section 21. 102.13 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB550,20,9 102.13 (2) (c) Except as provided in this paragraph, if an injured employee has a period of temporary disability that exceeds 3 weeks or a permanent disability, if the injured employee has undergone surgery to treat his or her injury, other than surgery to correct a hernia, or if the injured employee sustained an eye injury requiring medical treatment on 3 or more occasions off the employer's premises, the department may by rule require the insurer or self-insured employer to submit to the department a final report of the employee's treating practitioner. The department may not require an insurer or self-insured employer to submit to the department a final report of an employee's treating practitioner when the insurer or self-insured employer denies the employee's claim for compensation in its entirety and the employee does not contest that denial. A treating practitioner may charge a reasonable fee for the completion of the final report, but may not require prepayment of that fee. An Subject to s. 102.16 (2) (i), an insurer or self-insured employer that disputes the reasonableness of a fee charged for the completion of a treatment practitioner's final report may submit that dispute to the department for resolution under s. 102.16 (2).

SB550,22 Section 22. 102.16 (1m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB550,21,2 102.16 (1m) (a) If an insurer or self-insured employer concedes by compromise under sub. (1) or stipulation under s. 102.18 (1) (a) that the insurer or self-insured employer is liable under this chapter for any health services provided to an injured employee by a health service provider, but disputes the reasonableness of the fee charged by the health service provider, the department may include in its order confirming the compromise or stipulation a determination as to the reasonableness of the fee or the department may notify, or direct the insurer or self-insured employer to notify, the health service provider under sub. (2) (b) that the reasonableness of the fee is in dispute. The department shall deny payment of a health service fee that the department determines under this paragraph to be unreasonable. A health service provider and an insurer or self-insured employer that are parties to a fee dispute under this paragraph are bound by the department's determination under this paragraph on the reasonableness of the disputed fee, unless that determination is set aside, reversed, or modified by the department under sub. (2) (f) or is set aside on judicial review as provided in sub. (2) (f). This paragraph does not apply to a health service provided to an injured employee beginning on the date on which the notice under s. 102.423 (1) (a) is published in the Wisconsin Administrative Register.

SB550,23 Section 23. 102.16 (2) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB550,21,19 102.16 (2) (d) The department shall analyze the information provided to the department under par. (c) according to the criteria provided in this paragraph to determine the reasonableness of the disputed fee. Except as provided in 2011 Wisconsin Act 183, section 30 (2) (b), the The department shall determine that a disputed fee is reasonable and order that the disputed fee be paid if that fee is at or below the mean fee for the health service procedure for which the disputed fee was charged, plus 1.2 0.7 standard deviations from that mean, as shown by data from a database that is certified by the department under par. (h). Except as provided in 2011 Wisconsin Act 183, section 30 (2) (b), the The department shall determine that a disputed fee is unreasonable and order that a reasonable fee be paid if the disputed fee is above the mean fee for the health service procedure for which the disputed fee was charged, plus 1.2 0.7 standard deviations from that mean, as shown by data from a database that is certified by the department under par. (h), unless the health service provider proves to the satisfaction of the department that a higher fee is justified because the service provided in the disputed case was more difficult or more complicated to provide than in the usual case.

SB550,24 Section 24. 102.16 (2) (i) of the statutes is created to read:

SB550,21,23 102.16 (2) (i) This subsection does not apply to a health service provided to an injured employee beginning on the date on which the notice under s. 102.423 (1) (a) is published in the Wisconsin Administrative Register.

SB550,25 Section 25. 102.17 (1) (a) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB550,22,5 102.17 (1) (a) 3. If a party in interest claims that the employer or insurer has acted with malice or bad faith as described in s. 102.18 (1) (b) 3. or (bp), that party shall provide written notice stating with reasonable specificity the basis for the claim to the employer, the insurer, and the department before the department schedules a hearing on the claim of malice or bad faith.

SB550,26 Section 26. 102.17 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB550,23,4 102.17 (4) Except as provided in this subsection and s. 102.555 (12) (b), in the case of occupational disease, the right of an employee, the employee's legal representative, or a dependent to proceed under this section shall not extend beyond 12 years after the date of the injury or death or after the date that compensation, other than for treatment or burial expenses, was last paid, or would have been last payable if no advancement were made, whichever date is latest, and in the case of traumatic injury, that right shall not extend beyond 9 years after that date. In the case of occupational disease; a traumatic injury resulting in the loss or total impairment of a hand or any part of the rest of the arm proximal to the hand or of a foot or any part of the rest of the leg proximal to the foot, any loss of vision, or any permanent brain injury; or a traumatic injury causing the need for an artificial spinal disc or a total or partial knee or hip replacement, there shall be no statute of limitations, except that benefits or treatment expense for an occupational disease becoming due 12 years after the date of injury or death or last payment of compensation, other than for treatment or burial expenses, shall be paid from the work injury supplemental benefit fund under s. 102.65 and in the manner provided in s. 102.66 and benefits or treatment expense for such a traumatic injury becoming due 12 9 years after that date shall be paid from that fund and in that manner if the date of injury or death or last payment of compensation, other than for treatment or burial expenses, is before April 1, 2006. Payment of wages by the employer during disability or absence from work to obtain treatment shall be considered payment of compensation for the purpose of this section if the employer knew of the employee's condition and its alleged relation to the employment.

SB550,27 Section 27. 102.18 (1) (b) of the statutes is renumbered 102.18 (1) (b) 1. and amended to read:

SB550,23,12 102.18 (1) (b) 1. Within 90 days after the final hearing and close of the record, the department shall make and file its findings upon the ultimate facts involved in the controversy, and its order, which shall state its determination as to the rights of the parties. Pending the final determination of any controversy before it, the department may in its discretion after any hearing make interlocutory findings, orders, and awards, which may be enforced in the same manner as final awards.

SB550,23,17 2. The department may include in any interlocutory or final award or order an order directing the employer or insurer to pay for any future treatment that may be necessary to cure and relieve the employee from the effects of the injury or to pay for a future course of instruction or other rehabilitation training services provided under a rehabilitation training program developed under s. 102.61 (1) or (1m).

SB550,23,22 3. If the department finds that the employer or insurer has not paid any amount that the employer or insurer was directed to pay in any interlocutory order or award and that the nonpayment was not in good faith, the department may include in its final award a penalty not exceeding 25% 25 percent of each amount that was not paid as directed.

SB550,24,3 4. When there is a finding that the employee is in fact suffering from an occupational disease caused by the employment of the employer against whom the application is filed, a final award dismissing the application upon the ground that the applicant has suffered no disability from the disease shall not bar any claim the employee may thereafter have after the date of the award for disability sustained after the that date of the award.

SB550,28 Section 28. 102.18 (1) (bg) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB550,24,21 102.18 (1) (bg) 1. If the department finds under par. (b) that an insurer or self-insured employer is liable under this chapter for any health services provided to an injured employee by a health service provider, but that the reasonableness of the fee charged by the health service provider is in dispute, the department may include in its order under par. (b) a determination as to the reasonableness of the fee or the department may notify, or direct the insurer or self-insured employer to notify, the health service provider under s. 102.16 (2) (b) that the reasonableness of the fee is in dispute. The department shall deny payment of a health service fee that the department determines under this subdivision to be unreasonable. An insurer or self-insured employer and a health service provider that are parties to a fee dispute under this subdivision are bound by the department's determination under this subdivision on the reasonableness of the disputed fee, unless that determination is set aside, reversed, or modified by the department under sub. (3) or by the commission under sub. (3) or (4) or is set aside on judicial review under s. 102.23. This subdivision does not apply to a health service provided to an injured employee beginning on the date on which the notice under s. 102.423 (1) (a) is published in the Wisconsin Administrative Register.

SB550,29 Section 29. 102.18 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB550,25,15 102.18 (3) A party in interest may petition the commission for review of an examiner's decision awarding or denying compensation if the department or commission receives the petition within 21 days after the department mailed a copy of the examiner's findings and order to the party's last-known address. The commission shall dismiss a petition which that is not timely filed within those 21 days unless the petitioner shows probable good cause that the petition was filed late for a reason for failure to timely file that was beyond the petitioner's control. If no petition is filed within those 21 days from the date that a copy of the findings or order of the examiner is mailed to the last-known address of the parties in interest, the findings or order shall be considered final unless set aside, reversed , or modified by the examiner within that time. If the findings or order are set aside by the examiner, the status shall be the same as prior to the setting aside of the findings or order set aside. If the findings or order are reversed or modified by the examiner, the time for filing a petition commences with on the date that notice of the reversal or modification is mailed to the last-known address of the parties in interest. The commission shall either affirm, reverse, set aside, or modify the findings or order in whole or in part, or direct the taking of additional evidence. This The commission's action shall be based on a review of the evidence submitted.

SB550,30 Section 30. 102.18 (4) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB550,25,19 102.18 (4) (b) Within 28 days after the date of a decision of the commission is mailed to the last-known address of each party in interest, the commission may, on its own motion, set aside the decision for further consideration.

SB550,31 Section 31. 102.21 of the statutes is amended to read:

SB550,26,9 102.21 Payment of awards by municipalities. Whenever When an award is made by the department under this chapter or s. 66.191, 1981 stats., against any municipality local governmental unit, the person in whose favor it the award is made shall file a certified copy thereof of the award with the municipal clerk of the local governmental unit. Within 20 days thereafter, unless an appeal is taken, such after the filing of the award, the clerk shall draw an order on the municipal treasurer of the local governmental unit for the payment of the award, unless an appeal is taken. If upon appeal such the award is affirmed in whole or in part, the order for payment shall be drawn within 10 days after a certified copy of such the judgment on appeal is filed with the proper clerk. If more than one payment is provided for in the award or judgment, orders shall be drawn as the payments become due. No statute relating to the filing of claims against, and or the auditing, allowing and, or payment of claims by municipalities, local governmental units shall apply to the payment of an award or judgment under this section.

SB550,32 Section 32. 102.23 (1) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 102.23 (1) (a) 1. and amended to read:

SB550,26,17 102.23 (1) (a) 1. The findings of fact made by the commission acting within its powers shall, in the absence of fraud, be conclusive. The order or award granting or denying compensation, either interlocutory or final, whether judgment has been rendered on it or not, is subject to review only as provided in this section and not under ch. 227 or s. 801.02. The commission shall identify in the order or award the persons that must be made parties to an action for the review of the order or award.

SB550,27,8 2. Within 30 days after the date of an order or award made by the commission either originally or after the filing of a petition for review with the department under s. 102.18, any party aggrieved thereby by the order or award may commence an action in circuit court for the review of the order or award by serving a complaint as provided in par. (b) and filing the summons and complaint with the clerk of the circuit court commence, in circuit court, an action against the commission for the review of the order or award, in which action the adverse party shall also be made a defendant. The summons and complaint shall name the party commencing the action as the plaintiff and shall name as defendants the commission and all persons identified by the commission under subd. 1. If the circuit court determines that any other person is necessary for the proper resolution of the action, the circuit court may join that person as a party to the action, unless joinder of the person would unduly delay the resolution of the action. If the circuit court is satisfied that a party in interest has been prejudiced because of an exceptional delay in the receipt of a copy of any finding or order, it the circuit court may extend the time in within which an action may be commenced by an additional 30 days.

SB550,27,12 3. The proceedings shall be in the circuit court of the county where the plaintiff resides, except that if the plaintiff is a state agency, the proceedings shall be in the circuit court of the county where the defendant resides. The proceedings may be brought in any circuit court if all parties stipulate and that court agrees.

SB550,33 Section 33. 102.23 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB550,27,21 102.23 (1) (c) Except as provided in par. (cm), the The commission shall serve its answer within 20 days after the service of the complaint, and, within the like time, the adverse party. Except as provided in par. (cm), any other defendant may serve an answer to the complaint within 20 days after the service of the complaint, which answer may, by way of counterclaim or cross complaint, ask for the review of the order or award referred to in the complaint, with the same effect as if the party defendant had commenced a separate action for the review thereof of the order or award.

SB550,34 Section 34. 102.23 (1) (cm) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB550,27,25 102.23 (1) (cm) If an adverse party to the proceeding a defendant in an action brought under par. (a) is an insurance company, the insurance company may serve an answer to the complaint within 45 days after the service of the complaint.

SB550,35 Section 35. 102.28 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB550,28,11 102.28 (2) (a) Duty to insure payment for compensation. Unless exempted by the department under par. (b) or (bm) or sub. (3), every employer, as described in s. 102.04 (1), shall insure payment for that compensation under this chapter in an insurer authorized to do business in this state. A joint venture may elect to be an employer under this chapter and obtain insurance for payment of compensation. If a joint venture that is subject to this chapter only because the joint venture elected to be an employer under this chapter is dissolved and cancels or terminates its contract for the insurance of compensation under this chapter, that joint venture is deemed to have effected withdrawal, which shall be effective on the day after the contract is canceled or terminated.

SB550,36 Section 36. 102.28 (2) (b) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB550,28,13 102.28 (2) (b) (title) Exemption from duty to insure; employers generally.

SB550,37 Section 37. 102.28 (2) (bm) of the statutes is created to read:

SB550,28,24 102.28 (2) (bm) Exemption from duty to insure; governmental employers. 1. Subject to subds. 2. to 4., if the state or a local governmental unit that has independent taxing authority is not partially insured or fully insured for its liability for the payment of compensation under this chapter, or to the extent that the state or a local governmental unit that has independent taxing authority is not partially insured for that liability under one or more contracts issued with the consent of the department under s. 102.31 (1) (b), and if the state or local governmental unit agrees to report faithfully all compensable injuries and to comply with this chapter and all rules of the department, the state or local governmental unit may elect to self-insure that liability without further order of the department.

SB550,29,7 2. Notwithstanding the absence of an order of exemption from the duty to insure under par. (a), the state or a local governmental unit that elects to self-insure as provided in subd. 1. is exempt from that duty. Notwithstanding that exemption, if the state or a local governmental unit that elects to self-insure as provided in subd. 1. desires partial insurance or divided insurance, the state or local governmental unit shall obtain the consent of the department under s. 102.31 (1) (b) to the issuance of a contract providing such insurance.

SB550,29,14 3. a. A local governmental unit that elects to self-insure its liability for the payment of compensation under this chapter shall notify the department of that election in writing before commencing to self-insure that liability and shall notify the department of its intent to continue to self-insure that liability every 3 years after that initial notice. A local government unit that wishes to withdraw that election shall notify the department of that withdrawal not less than 30 days before the effective date of that withdrawal.

SB550,29,21 b. A notice under subd. 3. a. shall be accompanied by a resolution adopted by the governing body of the local governmental unit and signed by the elected or appointed chief executive of the local governmental unit stating that the governing body intends and agrees to self-insure the liability of the local governmental unit for the payment of compensation under this chapter and that the local government unit agrees to report faithfully all compensable injuries and to comply with this chapter and all rules of the department.

SB550,30,4 4. An election to self-insure under subd. 1. is subject to revocation under par. (c) 2. Once such an election is revoked, the employer whose election is revoked may not elect to self-insure its liability for the payment of compensation under this chapter unless at least 3 calendar years have elapsed since the revocation and the department finds that the employer's financial condition is adequate to pay its employees' claims for compensation, that the employer has not received an excessive number of claims for compensation, and that the employer has faithfully discharged its obligations under this chapter and the rules of the department.

SB550,38 Section 38. 102.28 (2) (c) (title) of the statutes is amended to read: