1995 Wisconsin Act 117

117,12 Section 12 . 102.07 (12m) of the statutes is created to read:

102.07 (12m) A student of a public school, as described in s. 115.01 (1), or a private school, as defined in s. 115.001 (3r), 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 employe of a school district or private school that elects under s. 102.077 to name the student as its employe. This subsection does not apply after December 31, 1997.

117,13 Section 13 . 102.077 of the statutes is created to read:

102.077 Election by school district or private school. (1) A school district or a private school, as defined in s. 115.001 (3r), may elect to name as its employe for purposes of this chapter a student described in s. 102.07 (12m) by an endorsement on its policy of worker's compensation insurance or, if the school district or private school is exempt from the duty to insure under s. 102.28 (2), by filing a declaration with the department in the manner provided in s. 102.31 (2) (a) naming the student as an employe of the school district or private school 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.

(2) A school district or private school 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.

(3) This section does not apply after December 31, 1997.

117,14 Section 14 . 102.11 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

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 which results in a maximum compensation rate of 100% of the state's average weekly earnings as determined under s. 108.05 as of June 30 of the previous year, except that the average weekly earnings for temporary disability, permanent total disability or death benefits for injuries occurring on or after January 1, 1994 1996, and before January 1, 1995 1997, shall be not more than $699 $741, resulting in a maximum compensation rate of $466 $494, and the average weekly earnings for temporary disability, permanent total disability or death benefits for injuries occurring on or after January 1, 1995 1997, and before January 1, 1996 1998, shall be not more than $718.50 $763.50, resulting in a maximum compensation rate of $479 $509. 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 January 1, 1994 1996, not more than $237 $253.50, resulting in a maximum compensation rate of $158 $169, and, for permanent partial disability for injuries occurring on or after January 1, 1995 1997, not more than $246 $261, resulting in a maximum compensation rate of $164 $174. Between such limits the average weekly earnings shall be determined as follows:

117,15 Section 15 . 102.16 (2) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

102.16 (2) (d) For fee disputes that are submitted to the department before July 1, 1996 1998, 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. 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 1.5 standard deviations from that mean, as shown by data from a data base that is certified by the department under par. (h). 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 1.5 standard deviations from that mean, as shown by data from a data base 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.

117,16 Section 16 . 102.16 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

102.16 (5) No Except as provided in s. 102.28 (3), no agreement by an employe to waive the right to compensation is valid.

117,17 Section 17 . 102.17 (1) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

102.17 (1) (d) The contents of verified certified medical and surgical reports by physicians, podiatrists, surgeons, dentists, psychologists and chiropractors licensed in and practicing in this state and of verified certified reports by experts concerning loss of earning capacity under s. 102.44 (2) and (3), presented by a party for compensation constitute prima facie evidence as to the matter contained in them, subject to any rules and limitations the department prescribes. Verified Certified reports of physicians, podiatrists, surgeons, dentists, psychologists and chiropractors, wherever licensed and practicing, who have examined or treated the claimant, and of experts, if the practitioner or expert consents to subject himself or herself to cross-examination also constitute prima facie evidence as to the matter contained in them. Verified Certified reports of physicians, podiatrists, surgeons, psychologists and chiropractors are admissible as evidence of the diagnosis, necessity of the treatment and cause and extent of the disability. Verified Certified reports by doctors of dentistry are admissible as evidence of the diagnosis and necessity for treatment but not of disability. Physicians, podiatrists, surgeons, dentists, psychologists and chiropractors licensed in and practicing in this state and experts may certify instead of verify the reports. That certification is equivalent to verification. Any physician, podiatrist, surgeon, dentist, psychologist, chiropractor or expert who knowingly makes a false statement of fact or opinion in such a certified report may be fined or imprisoned, or both, under s. 943.395. The record of a hospital or sanatorium in this state operated by any department or agency of the federal or state government or by any municipality, or of any other hospital or sanatorium in this state which is satisfactory to the department, established by certificate, affidavit or testimony of the supervising officer or other person having charge of such records, or of a physician, podiatrist, surgeon, dentist, psychologist or chiropractor to be the record of the patient in question, and made in the regular course of examination or treatment of such patient, constitutes prima facie evidence in any worker's compensation proceeding as to the matter contained in it, to the extent that it is otherwise competent and relevant. The department may, by rule, establish the qualifications of and the form used for verified certified reports submitted by experts who provide information concerning loss of earning capacity under s. 102.44 (2) and (3). The department may not admit into evidence a verified certified report of a practitioner or other expert or a record of a hospital or sanatorium that was not filed with the department and all parties in interest at least 15 days before the date of the hearing, unless the department is satisfied that there is good cause for the failure to file the report.

117,18 Section 18 . 102.17 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

102.17 (2) If the department shall have reason to believe that the payment of compensation has not been made, it may on its own motion give notice to the parties, in the manner provided for the service of an application, of a time and place when a hearing will be had held for the purpose of determining the facts. Such notice shall contain a statement of the matter to be considered. Thereafter all other provisions governing proceedings on application shall attach insofar as the same may be applicable. When the department schedules a hearing on its own motion, the department does not become a party in interest and is not required to appear at the hearing.

117,19 Section 19 . 102.17 (7) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

102.17 (7) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), in a claim under s. 102.44 (2) and (3), testimony or verified certified reports of expert witnesses on loss of earning capacity may be received in evidence and considered with all other evidence to decide on an employe's actual loss of earning capacity.

117,20 Section 20 . 102.17 (7) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

102.17 (7) (b) Except as provided in par. (c), the department shall exclude from evidence testimony or verified certified reports from expert witnesses under par. (a) offered by the party that raises the issue of loss of earning capacity if that party failed to notify the department and the other parties of interest, at least 60 days before the date of the hearing, of the party's intent to provide the testimony or reports and of the names of the expert witnesses involved. Except as provided in par. (c), the department shall exclude from evidence testimony or verified certified reports from expert witnesses under par. (a) offered by a party of interest in response to the party that raises the issue of loss of earning capacity if the responding party failed to notify the department and the other parties of interest, at least 45 days before the date of the hearing, of the party's intent to provide the testimony or reports and of the names of the expert witnesses involved.

117,21 Section 21 . 102.17 (7) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

102.17 (7) (c) Notwithstanding the notice deadlines provided in par. (b), the department may receive in evidence testimony or verified certified reports from expert witnesses under par. (a) when the applicable notice deadline under par. (b) is not met if good cause is shown for the delay in providing the notice required under par. (b) and if no party is prejudiced by the delay.

117,22 Section 22 . 102.28 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

102.28 (2) (a) Duty to insure payment for compensation. Unless exempted by the department under par. (b) or sub. (3), every employer, as described in s. 102.04 (1), shall insure payment for that compensation 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.

117,23 Section 23 . 102.28 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

102.28 (2) (b) Exemption from duty to insure. The department may grant a written order of exemption to an employer who shows its financial ability to pay the amount of compensation, agrees to report faithfully all compensable injuries and agrees to comply with this chapter and the rules of the department. The department may condition the granting of an exemption upon the employer's furnishing of satisfactory security to guarantee payment of all claims under compensation. The department may require that bonds or other personal guarantees be enforceable against sureties in the same manner as an award may be enforced. The department may from time to time require proof of financial ability of the employer to pay compensation. Any exemption shall be void if the application for it contains a financial statement which is false in any material respect. An employer who files an application containing a false financial statement remains subject to par. (a). The department may promulgate rules establishing an amount to be charged as to an initial application fee applicant for exemption under this paragraph and an annual amount to be charged as a renewal application fee to employers applying for exemption to employers that have been exempted under this paragraph.

117,24 Section 24 . 102.28 (3) of the statutes is created to read:

102.28 (3) Provision of alternative benefits. (a) An employer may file with the department an application for exemption from the duty to pay compensation under this chapter with respect to any employe who signs the waiver described in subd. 1. and the affidavit described in subd. 2. if an authorized representative of the religious sect to which the employe belongs signs the affidavit specified in subd. 3. and signs the agreement and provides the proof of financial ability described in subd. 4. An application for exemption under this paragraph shall include all of the following:

1. A written waiver by the employe or, if the employe is a minor, by the employe and his or her parent or guardian of all compensation under this chapter other than the alternative benefits provided under par. (c).

2. An affidavit by the employe or, if the employe is a minor, by the employe and his or her parent or guardian stating that the employe is a member of a recognized religious sect and that, as a result of the employe's adherence to the established tenets or teachings of the religious sect, the employe is conscientiously opposed to accepting the benefits of any public or private insurance that makes payments in the event of death, disability, old age or retirement, or that makes payments toward the cost of or provides medical care, including any benefits provided under the federal social security act, 42 USC 301 to 1397f.

3. An affidavit by an authorized representative of the religious sect to which the employe belongs stating that the religious sect has a long-standing history of providing its members who become dependent on the support of the religious sect as a result of work-related injuries, and the dependents of those members, with a standard of living and medical treatment that are reasonable when compared to the general standard of living and medical treatment for members of the religious sect.

4. An agreement signed by an authorized representative of the religious sect to which the employe belongs to provide the financial and medical assistance described in subd. 3. to the employe and to the employe's dependents if the employe sustains an injury which, but for the waiver under subd. 1., the employer would be liable for under s. 102.03, and proof of the financial ability of the religious sect to provide that financial and medical assistance which the religious sect may establish by maintaining, in an amount determined by the department, a surety bond issued by a company authorized to do business in this state, an irrevocable letter of credit from a financial institution, as defined in s. 705.01 (3), or some other financial commitment approved by the department.

(b) The department shall approve an application under par. (a) if the department determines that all of the following conditions are satisfied:

1. The employe has waived all compensation under this chapter other than the alternative benefits provided under par. (c).

2. The employe is a member of a religious sect whose established tenets or teachings oppose accepting the benefits of insurance as described in par. (a) 2. and that, as a result of adherence to those tenets or teachings, the employe conscientiously opposes accepting those benefits.

3. The religious sect to which the employe belongs has a long-established history of providing its members who become dependent on the religious sect as a result of work-related injuries, and the dependents of those members, with a standard of living and medical treatment that are reasonable when compared to the general standard of living and medical treatment for members of the religious sect. In determining whether the religious sect has a long-standing history of providing the financial and medical assistance described in this subdivision, the department shall presume that a 25-year history of providing that financial and medical assistance is long-standing for purposes of this subdivision.

4. The religious sect to which the employe belongs has agreed to provide the financial and medical assistance described in subd. 3. to the employe and to the dependents of the employe if the employe sustains an injury that, but for the waiver under par. (a) 1., the employer would be liable for under s. 102.03 and that the religious sect has the financial ability to provide that financial and medical assistance.

(c) An employe who has signed a waiver under par. (a) 1. and an affidavit under par. (a) 2., who sustains an injury that, but for that waiver, the employer would be liable for under s. 102.03, who at the time of the injury was a member of a religious sect whose authorized representative has filed an affidavit under par. (a) 3. and an agreement and proof of financial responsibility under par. (a) 4. and who as a result of the injury becomes dependent on the religious sect for financial and medical assistance, or the employe's dependent, may request a hearing under s. 102.17 (1) to determine if the religious sect has provided the employe and his or her dependents with a standard of living and medical treatment that are reasonable when compared to the general standard of living and medical treatment for members of the religious sect. If, after hearing, the department determines that the religious sect has not provided that standard of living or medical treatment, or both, the department may order the religious sect to provide alternative benefits to that employe or his or her dependent, or both, in an amount that is reasonable under the circumstances, but not in excess of the benefits that the employe or dependent could have received under this chapter but for the waiver under par. (a) 1. If the religious sect does not provide the alternative benefits as ordered by the department, the department may use the financial commitment under par. (a) 4. to pay the alternative benefits ordered, including any penalties that may be appropriate.

(d) The department shall provide a form for the application for exemption of an employer under par. (a) (intro.), the waiver and affidavit of an employe under par. (a) 1. and 2., the affidavit of a religious sect under par. (a) 3. and the agreement and proof of financial responsibility of a religious sect under par. (a) 4. A properly completed form is prima facie evidence of satisfaction of the conditions under par. (b) as to the matter contained in the form.

117,25 Section 25 . 102.29 (8) of the statutes is created to read:

102.29 (8) No student of a public school, as described in s. 115.01 (1), or a private school, as defined in s. 115.001 (3r), who is named under s. 102.077 as an employe of the school district or private school for purposes of this chapter and who makes a claim for compensation under this chapter may make a claim or maintain an action in tort against the employer that provided the work training or work experience from which the claim arose. This subsection does not apply to injuries occurring after December 31, 1997.

117,26 Section 26 . 102.29 (9) of the statutes is created to read:

102.29 (9) No participant in a work experience component of a job opportunities and basic skills program who, under s. 49.193 (6) (a), is considered to be an employe of the agency administering that program, or who, under s. 49.193 (6) (a), is provided worker's compensation coverage by the person administering the work experience component, and who makes a claim for compensation under this chapter may make a claim or maintain an action in tort against the employer who provided the work experience from which the claim arose. This subsection does not apply to injuries occurring after December 31, 1997.

117,27 Section 27 . 102.33 (2) (b) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

102.33 (2) (b) (intro.) Notwithstanding par. (a), a record maintained by the department that reveals the identity of an employe who claims worker's compensation benefits, the nature of the employe's claimed injury, the employe's past or present medical condition, the extent of the employe's disability, the amount, type or duration of benefits paid to the employe or any financial information provided to the department by a self-insured employer or by an applicant for exemption under s. 102.28 (2) (b) is confidential and not open to public inspection or copying under s. 19.35 (1). The department may deny a request made under s. 19.35 (1) or, subject to s. 102.17 (2m) and (2s), refuse to honor a subpoena issued by an attorney of record in a civil or criminal action or special proceeding to inspect and copy a record that is confidential under this paragraph, unless one of the following applies:

117,28 Section 28 . 102.33 (2) (b) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

102.33 (2) (b) 2. The record that is requested contains confidential information concerning a worker's compensation claim and the requester is an insurance carrier or employer that is a party to the claim any worker's compensation claim involving the same employe or an attorney or authorized agent of that insurance carrier or employer, except that the department is not required to do a random search of its records and may require the requester to provide the approximate date of the injury and any other relevant information that would assist the department in finding the record requested. An attorney or authorized agent of an insurance carrier or employer that is a party to an employe's worker's compensation claim shall provide a written authorization for inspection and copying from the insurance carrier or employer if requested by the department.

117,29 Section 29 . 102.33 (2) (b) 4. of the statutes is created to read:

102.33 (2) (b) 4. A court of competent jurisdiction in this state orders the department to release the record.

117,30 Section 30 . 102.44 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

102.44 (1) (a) If such employe is receiving the maximum weekly benefits in effect at the time of the injury, the supplemental benefit shall be an amount which, when added to the regular benefit established for the case, shall equal $125 $150.

117,31 Section 31 . 102.44 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

102.44 (1) (b) If such employe is receiving a weekly benefit which is less than the maximum benefit which was in effect on the date of the injury, the supplemental benefit shall be an amount sufficient to bring the total weekly benefits to the same proportion of $125 $150 as the employe's weekly benefit bears to the maximum in effect on the date of injury.

117,32 Section 32 . 102.50 of the statutes is amended to read:

102.50 Burial expenses. In all cases where death of an employe proximately results from the injury the employer or insurer shall pay the reasonable expense for burial, not exceeding $4,000 $6,000.

117,33 Section 33 . 102.65 (3) (a) of the statutes is repealed.

117,34 Section 34 . 102.65 (3) (b) of the statutes is renumbered 102.65 (3) and amended to read:

102.65 (3) If the balance in the fund on any June 30 exceeds 3 times the amount paid out of such fund during the fiscal year ending on such date, the department shall, by order, direct an appropriate proportional reduction of the payments into such fund under ss. 102.47, 102.49 and 102.59 so that the balance in the fund will remain at 3 times the payments made in the preceding fiscal year. This paragraph applies after June 30, 1992.

117,35 Section 35 . 102.75 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

102.75 (4) From the appropriation under s. 20.445 (1) (ha), the department shall allocate the amounts that it collects in application fees from employers applying for exemption under s. 102.28 (2) and the annual amount that it collects from employers that have been exempted under s. 102.28 (2) to fund the activities of the department under s. 102.28 (2) (b) and (c).

117,35m Section 35m. 102.80 (1) (c) of the statutes is repealed.

117,35p Section 35p. 102.80 (2) of the statutes is repealed.

117,36 Section 36 . 102.80 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

102.80 (3) (a) If the cash balance in the uninsured employers fund equals or exceeds $4,000,000 before July 1, 1996, and if, during the 6-month period immediately preceding the date on which the fund first equals or exceeds that cash balance or during any 6-month period after that date, the amounts specified in s. 102.81 (1) collected by the department equal or exceed 55% of the amounts assessed by the department under s. 102.82 during that 6-month period, the secretary shall consult the council on worker's compensation within 45 days after those goals are achieved that cash balance equals or exceeds $4,000,000. The secretary may file with the secretary of administration, within 15 days after consulting the council on worker's compensation, a certificate attesting that the goals specified in this paragraph have been achieved cash balance in the uninsured employers fund equals or exceeds $4,000,000.

117,37 Section 37 . 102.80 (3) (ag) of the statutes is created to read:

102.80 (3) (ag) The secretary shall monitor the cash balance in, and incurred losses to, the uninsured employers fund using generally accepted actuarial principles. If the secretary determines that the expected ultimate losses to the uninsured employers fund on known claims and on incurred, but not reported, claims exceed 85% of the cash balance in the uninsured employers fund, the secretary shall consult with the council on worker's compensation. If the secretary, after consulting with the council on worker's compensation, determines that there is a reasonable likelihood that the cash balance in the uninsured employers fund may become inadequate to fund all claims under s. 102.81 (1), the secretary shall file with the secretary of administration a certificate attesting that the cash balance in the uninsured employer's fund is likely to become inadequate to fund all claims under s. 102.81 (1) and specifying a date after which no new claims under s. 102.81 (1) will be paid.

117,38 Section 38 . 102.80 (3) (am) of the statutes is amended to read:

102.80 (3) (am) If the secretary files the certificate under par. (a) before August 15, 1996, the department may expend the moneys in the uninsured employers fund to make payments under s. 102.81 (1) to employes of uninsured employers and to administer ss. 102.28 (4) and 102.80 to 102.89, beginning on the first day of the first July after the secretary files that certificate, to make payments under s. 102.81 (1) to employes of uninsured employers and to obtain reinsurance under s. 102.81 (2).

117,39 Section 39 . 102.80 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

102.80 (3) (b) If the secretary does not file the certificate under par. (a) before August 15, 1996, the department may expend the moneys in the uninsured employers fund only to administer ss. 102.28 (4) and 102.80 to 102.89.

117,40 Section 40 . 102.80 (3) (b) of the statutes, as affected by 1995 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is repealed and recreated to read:

102.80 (3) (b) If the secretary does not file the certificate under par. (a), the department may not expend the moneys in the uninsured employers fund.

117,41 Section 41 . 102.80 (3) (c) of the statutes is created to read:

102.80 (3) (c) If, after filing the certificate under par. (a), the secretary files the certificate under par. (ag), the department may expend the moneys in the uninsured employers fund only to make payments under s. 102.81 (1) to employes of uninsured employers on claims made before the date specified in that certificate and to obtain reinsurance under s. 102.81 (2) for the payment of those claims.

117,42 Section 42 . 102.80 (4) of the statutes is created to read:

102.80 (4) (a) If an uninsured employer who owes to the department any amount under s. 102.82 or 102.85 (4) transfers his or her business assets or activities, the transferee is liable for the amounts owed by the uninsured employer under s. 102.82 or 102.85 (4) if the department determines that all of the following conditions are satisfied:

1. At the time of the transfer, the uninsured employer and the transferee are owned or controlled in whole or in substantial part, either directly or indirectly, by the same interest or interests. Without limitation by reason of enumeration, it is presumed unless shown to the contrary that the “same interest or interests" includes the spouse, child or parent of the individual who owned or controlled the business, or any combination of more than one of them.

2. The transferee has continued or resumed the business of the uninsured employer, either in the same establishment or elsewhere; or the transferee has employed substantially the same employes as those the uninsured employer had employed in connection with the business assets or activities transferred.

(b) The department may collect from a transferee described in par. (a) an amount owed under s. 102.82 or 102.85 (4) using the procedures specified in ss. 102.83, 102.835 and 102.87 and the preference specified in s. 102.84 in the same manner as the department may collect from an uninsured employer.

117,43 Section 43 . 102.81 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

102.81 (1) (a) If an employe of an uninsured employer, other than an employe who is eligible to receive alternative benefits under s. 102.28 (3), suffers an injury for which the uninsured employer is liable under s. 102.03, the department or the department's reinsurer shall pay to the injured employe or the employe's dependents an amount equal to the compensation owed them by the uninsured employer under this chapter except penalties and interest due under ss. 102.16 (3), 102.18 (1) (b) and (bp), 102.22 (1), 102.35 (3), 102.57 and 102.60.

117,44 Section 44 . 102.81 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

102.81 (1) (b) The department shall make the payments required under par. (a) from the uninsured employers fund, except that if the department has obtained reinsurance under sub. (2) and is unable to make those payments from the uninsured employers fund, the department's reinsurer shall make those payments according to the terms of the contract of reinsurance.

117,45 Section 45 . 102.81 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

102.81 (2) The department may retain an insurance carrier or insurance service organization to process, investigate and pay claims under this section and may obtain excess or stop-loss reinsurance with an insurance carrier authorized to do business in this state in an amount that the secretary determines is necessary for the sound operation of the uninsured employers fund. In cases involving disputed claims, the department may retain an attorney to represent the interests of the uninsured employers fund and to make appearances on behalf of the uninsured employers fund in proceedings under ss. 102.16 to 102.29. Section 20.918 and subch. IV of ch. 16 do not apply to an attorney hired under this subsection. The charges for the services retained under this subsection shall be paid from the appropriation under s. 20.445 (1) (sp). The cost of any reinsurance obtained under this subsection shall be paid from the appropriation under s. 20.445 (1) (sm).

117,46 Section 46 . 102.81 (2) of the statutes, as affected by 1995 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is repealed and recreated to read:

102.81 (2) The department may retain an insurance carrier or insurance service organization to process, investigate and pay claims under this section and may obtain excess or stop-loss reinsurance with an insurance carrier authorized to do business in this state in an amount that the secretary determines is necessary for the sound operation of the uninsured employers fund. In cases involving disputed claims, the department may retain an attorney to represent the interests of the uninsured employers fund and to make appearances on behalf of the uninsured employers fund in proceedings under ss. 102.16 to 102.29. Section 20.918 and subch. IV of ch. 16 do not apply to an attorney hired under this subsection. The charges for the services retained under this subsection shall be paid from the appropriation under s. 20.445 (1) (hp). The cost of any reinsurance obtained under this subsection shall be paid from the appropriation under s. 20.445 (1) (sm).

117,47 Section 47 . 102.81 (7) of the statutes is amended to read:

102.81 (7) This section first applies to injuries occurring on the first day of the calendar quarter first July beginning after the day that the secretary files a certificate under s. 102.80 (3) (a), except that if the secretary files a certificate under s. 102.80 (3) (ag) this section does not apply to claims filed on or after the date specified in that certificate.