Amendment SSA1-SB21

SB21-SSA1,862,2 102.17 (1) (h) The contents of certified reports of investigation, made by industrial safety specialists who are employed, contracted, or otherwise secured by the department or the division and who are available for cross-examination, if served upon the parties 15 days prior to hearing, shall constitute prima facie evidence as to matter contained in those reports. A report described in this paragraph that is admitted or received into evidence by the department division constitutes substantial evidence under s. 102.23 (6) as to the matter contained in the report.

SB21-SSA1,2815 Section 2815. 102.17 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,862,13 102.17 (2) If the department shall have division has reason to believe that the payment of compensation has not been made, it the division 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 held for the purpose of determining the facts. Such The notice shall contain a statement of the matter to be considered. Thereafter all other All provisions of this chapter governing proceedings on an application shall attach apply, insofar as the same may be applicable, to a proceeding under this subsection. When the department division schedules a hearing on its own motion, the department division does not become a party in interest and is not required to appear at the hearing.

SB21-SSA1,2816d Section 2816d. 102.17 (2m) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,862,20 102.17 (2m) Any The division or any party, including the department, may require any person to produce books, papers, and records at the hearing by personal service of a subpoena upon the person along with a tender of witness fees as provided in ss. 814.67 and 885.06. Except as provided in sub. (2s), the subpoena shall be on a form provided by the department division and shall give the name and address of the party requesting the subpoena.

SB21-SSA1,2817 Section 2817. 102.17 (2s) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,863,3 102.17 (2s) A party's attorney of record may issue a subpoena to compel the attendance of a witness or the production of evidence. A subpoena issued by an attorney must be in substantially the same form as provided in s. 805.07 (4) and must be served in the manner provided in s. 805.07 (5). The attorney shall, at the time of issuance, send a copy of the subpoena to the appeal tribunal hearing examiner or other representative of the department division responsible for conducting the proceeding.

SB21-SSA1,2818 Section 2818. 102.17 (7) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,863,16 102.17 (7) (b) Except as provided in par. (c), the department division shall exclude from evidence testimony or 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 division 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 division shall exclude from evidence testimony or 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 division 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.

SB21-SSA1,2819 Section 2819. 102.17 (7) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,863,22 102.17 (7) (c) Notwithstanding the notice deadlines provided in par. (b), the department division may receive in evidence testimony or 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.

SB21-SSA1,2820 Section 2820. 102.17 (8) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,864,12 102.17 (8) Unless otherwise agreed to by all parties, an injured employee shall file with the department division and serve on all parties at least 15 days before the date of the hearing an itemized statement of all medical expenses and incidental compensation under s. 102.42 claimed by the injured employee. The itemized statement shall include, if applicable, information relating to any travel expenses incurred by the injured employee in obtaining treatment including the injured employee's destination, number of trips, round trip mileage, and meal and lodging expenses. The department division may not admit into evidence any information relating to medical expenses and incidental compensation under s. 102.42 claimed by an injured employee if the injured employee failed to file with the department division and serve on all parties at least 15 days before the date of the hearing an itemized statement of the medical expenses and incidental compensation under s. 102.42 claimed by the injured employee, unless the department division is satisfied that there is good cause for the failure to file and serve the itemized statement.

SB21-SSA1,2821 Section 2821. 102.175 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,864,21 102.175 (2) If after a hearing or a prehearing conference the department division determines that an injured employee is entitled to compensation but that there remains in dispute only the issue of which of 2 or more parties is liable for that compensation, the department division may order one or more parties to pay compensation in an amount, time, and manner as determined by the department division. If the department division later determines that another party is liable for compensation, the department division shall order that other party to reimburse any party that was ordered to pay compensation under this subsection.

SB21-SSA1,2822 Section 2822. 102.18 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,865,16 102.18 (1) (b) Within 90 days after the final hearing and close of the record, the department division shall make and file its findings upon the ultimate facts involved in the controversy, and its order, which shall state its the division's determination as to the rights of the parties. Pending the final determination of any controversy before it, the department may in its discretion division, after any hearing, may, in its discretion, make interlocutory findings, orders, and awards, which may be enforced in the same manner as final awards. The department division 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. If the department division 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 division may include in its final award a penalty not exceeding 25% 25 percent of each amount that was not paid as directed. 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 for disability sustained after the date of the award.

SB21-SSA1,2823d Section 2823d. 102.18 (1) (bg) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,866,8 102.18 (1) (bg) 1. If the department division 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 division may include in its order under par. (b) a determination made by the department under s. 102.16 (2) as to the reasonableness of the fee or the department, if such a determination has not yet been made, the division 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.

SB21-SSA1,2824d Section 2824d. 102.18 (1) (bg) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,867,7 102.18 (1) (bg) 2. If the department division finds under par. (b) that an employer or insurance carrier is liable under this chapter for any treatment provided to an injured employee by a health service provider, but that the necessity of the treatment is in dispute, the department division may include in its order under par. (b) a determination made by the department under s. 102.16 (2m) as to the necessity of the treatment or the department, if such a determination has not yet been made, the division may notify, or direct the employer or insurance carrier to notify, the health service provider under s. 102.16 (2m) (b) that the necessity of the treatment is in dispute. Before determining under this subdivision the necessity of treatment provided to an injured employee, the department may, but is not required to, obtain the opinion of an expert selected by the department who is qualified as provided in s. 102.16 (2m) (c). The standards promulgated under s. 102.16 (2m) (g) shall be applied by an expert in rendering an opinion as to, and in determining, necessity of treatment under this subdivision. In cases in which no standards promulgated under s. 102.16 (2m) (g) apply, the department shall find the facts regarding necessity of treatment. The department shall deny payment for any treatment that the department determines under this subdivision to be unnecessary. An insurer or self-insured employer and a health service provider that are parties to a dispute under this subdivision over the necessity of treatment are bound by the department's determination under this subdivision on the necessity of the disputed treatment, unless that determination is set aside, reversed, or modified by the department division under sub. (3) or by the commission under sub. (3) or (4) or is set aside on judicial review under s. 102.23.

SB21-SSA1,2825d Section 2825d. 102.18 (1) (bg) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,868,2 102.18 (1) (bg) 3. If the department division finds under par. (b) that an insurer or self-insured employer is liable under this chapter for the cost of a prescription drug dispensed under s. 102.425 (2) for outpatient use by an injured employee, but that the reasonableness of the amount charged for that prescription drug is in dispute, the department division may include in its order under par. (b) a determination made by the department under s. 102.425 (4m) as to the reasonableness of the prescription drug charge or the department, if such a determination has not yet been made, the division may notify, or direct the insurer or self-insured employer to notify, the pharmacist or practitioner dispensing the prescription drug under s. 102.425 (4m) (b) that the reasonableness of the prescription drug charge is in dispute. The department shall deny payment of a prescription drug charge that the department determines under this subdivision to be unreasonable. An insurer or self-insured employer and a pharmacist or practitioner that are parties to a dispute under this subdivision over the reasonableness of a prescription drug charge are bound by the department's determination under par. (b) on the reasonableness of the disputed prescription drug charge, 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.

SB21-SSA1,2826 Section 2826. 102.18 (1) (bp) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,868,19 102.18 (1) (bp) If the department division determines that the employer or insurance carrier suspended, terminated, or failed to make payments or failed to report an injury as a result of malice or bad faith, the department division may include a penalty in an award to an employee for each event or occurrence of malice or bad faith. This That penalty is the exclusive remedy against an employer or insurance carrier for malice or bad faith. If this the penalty is imposed for an event or occurrence of malice or bad faith that causes a payment that is due an injured employee to be delayed in violation of s. 102.22 (1) or overdue in violation of s. 628.46 (1), the department division may not also order an increased payment under s. 102.22 (1) or the payment of interest under s. 628.46 (1). The department division may award an amount that it the division considers just, not to exceed the lesser of 200 percent of total compensation due or $30,000 for each event or occurrence of malice or bad faith. The department division may assess the penalty against the employer, the insurance carrier, or both. Neither the employer nor the insurance carrier is liable to reimburse the other for the penalty amount. The department division may, by rule, define actions which that demonstrate malice or bad faith.

SB21-SSA1,2827d Section 2827d. 102.18 (1) (bw) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,869,2 102.18 (1) (bw) If an insurer, a self-insured employer, or, if applicable, the uninsured employers fund pays compensation to an employee in excess of its liability and another insurer or self-insured employer is liable for all or part of the excess payment, the department or the division may order the insurer or self-insured employer that is liable for that excess payment to reimburse the insurer or self-insured employer that made the excess payment or, if applicable, the uninsured employers fund.

SB21-SSA1,2828 Section 2828. 102.18 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,869,10 102.18 (1) (c) If 2 or more examiners have conducted a formal hearing on a claim and are unable to agree on the order or award to be issued, the decision shall be the decision of the majority. If the examiners are equally divided on the decision, the department division may appoint an additional examiner who shall review the record and consult with the other examiners concerning their personal impressions of the credibility of the evidence. Findings of fact and an order or award may then be issued by a majority of the examiners.

SB21-SSA1,2829d Section 2829d. 102.18 (1) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,869,18 102.18 (1) (e) Except as provided in s. 102.21, if the department or the division orders a party to pay an award of compensation, the party shall pay the award no later than 21 days after the date on which the order is mailed to the last-known address of the party, unless the party files a petition for review under sub. (3). This paragraph applies to all awards of compensation ordered by the department or the division, whether the award results from a hearing, the default of a party, or a compromise or stipulation confirmed by the department or the division.

SB21-SSA1,2830d Section 2830d. 102.18 (2) of the statutes is renumbered 102.18 (2) (a) and amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,869,24 102.18 (2) (a) The department shall have and maintain on its staff such examiners as are necessary to hear and decide disputed claims for compensation described in s. 102.16 (1) (b) and to assist in the effective administration of this chapter. These examiners

SB21-SSA1,870,4 (c) Examiners under pars. (a) and (b) shall be attorneys and may be designated as administrative law judges. These Those examiners may make findings and orders, and may approve, review, set aside, modify, or confirm stipulations of settlement or compromises of claims for compensation.

SB21-SSA1,2830e Section 2830e. 102.18 (2) (b) of the statutes is created to read:

SB21-SSA1,870,10 102.18 (2) (b) The division shall have and maintain on its staff such examiners as are necessary to decide claims for compensation described in s. 102.16 (1) (c) and to assist in the effective adjudication of claims under this chapter. The administrator shall require at least 18 examiners employed by the division to devote not less than 80 percent of their work time to the duties specified in this paragraph.

SB21-SSA1,2831d Section 2831d. 102.18 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,871,5 102.18 (3) A party in interest may petition the commission for review of an examiner's decision awarding or denying compensation if the department , the division, or the commission receives the petition within 21 days after the department or the division mailed a copy of the examiner's findings and order to the party's last-known address addresses of the parties in interest. The commission shall dismiss a petition which that is not timely filed unless the petitioner shows probable good cause that the reason for failure to timely file was beyond the petitioner's control. If no petition is filed within 21 days from after the date that on which a copy of the findings or order of the examiner is mailed to the last-known address addresses 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 on which notice of reversal or modification is mailed to the last-known address addresses 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.

SB21-SSA1,2833d Section 2833d. 102.18 (4) (c) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,871,8 102.18 (4) (c) 3. Remand the case to the department or the division for further proceedings.

SB21-SSA1,2834d Section 2834d. 102.18 (4) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,871,16 102.18 (4) (d) While a petition for review by the commission is pending or after entry of an order or award by the commission but before commencement of an action for judicial review or expiration of the period in which to commence an action for judicial review, the commission shall remand any compromise presented to it to the department or the division for consideration and approval or rejection pursuant to under s. 102.16 (1). Presentation of a compromise does not affect the period in which to commence an action for judicial review.

SB21-SSA1,2835 Section 2835. 102.18 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,872,3 102.18 (5) If it shall appear to the department appears to the division that a mistake may have been made as to cause of injury in the findings, order, or award upon an alleged injury based on accident, when in fact the employee was suffering from an occupational disease, within 3 years after the date of the findings, order, or award the department division may, upon its own motion, with or without hearing, within 3 years from the date of such findings, order or award, set aside such the findings, order or award, or the department division may take such that action upon application made within such those 3 years. Thereafter, and after After an opportunity for hearing, the department division may, if in fact the employee is suffering from disease arising out of the employment, make new findings , and a new order or award, or it the division may reinstate the previous findings, order, or award.

SB21-SSA1,2836 Section 2836. 102.18 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,872,9 102.18 (6) In case of disease arising out of the employment, the department division may from time to time review its findings, order, or award, and make new findings, or a new order or award, based on the facts regarding disability or otherwise as they those facts may then appear at the time of the review. This subsection shall not affect the application of the limitation in s. 102.17 (4).

SB21-SSA1,2838d Section 2838d. 102.195 of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,872,18 102.195 Employees confined in institutions; payment of benefits. In case an employee is adjudged insane mentally ill or incompetent, or convicted of a felony, and is confined in a public institution and has wholly dependent upon the employee for support a person, whose dependency is determined as if the employee were deceased, compensation payable during the period of the employee's confinement may be paid to the employee and the employee's dependents , in such manner, for such time, and in such amount as the department or division by order provides.

SB21-SSA1,2839 Section 2839. 102.21 of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,873,9 102.21 Payment of awards by municipalities. Whenever an award is made by the department under this chapter or s. 66.191, 1981 stats., against any municipality, the person in whose favor it the award is made shall file a certified copy thereof of the award with the municipal clerk. Within 20 days thereafter, unless Unless an appeal is taken, such within 20 days after that filing, the municipal clerk shall draw an order on the municipal treasurer for the payment of the award. If upon appeal such the award is affirmed in whole or in part the, the municipal clerk shall draw an order for payment shall be drawn of the award within 10 days after a certified copy of such the judgment affirming the award is filed with the proper that clerk. If the award or judgment provides for more than one payment is provided for in the award or judgment, orders shall be drawn, the municipal clerk shall draw orders for payment as the payments become due. No statute relating to the filing of claims against, and or the auditing, allowing, and payment of claims by municipalities shall apply, a municipality applies to the payment of an award or judgment under this section.

SB21-SSA1,2840d Section 2840d. 102.22 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,874,2 102.22 (1) If the employer or his or her insurer inexcusably delays in making the first payment that is due an injured employee for more than 30 days after the day date on which the employee leaves work as a result of an injury and if the amount due is $500 or more, the payments as to which the delay is found shall be increased by 10% 10 percent. If the employer or his or her insurer inexcusably delays in making the first payment that is due an injured employee for more than 14 days after the day date on which the employee leaves work as a result of an injury, the payments as to which the delay is found may be increased by 10% 10 percent. If the employer or his or her insurer inexcusably delays for any length of time in making any other payment that is due an injured employee, the payments as to which the delay is found may be increased by 10%. Where 10 percent. If the delay is chargeable to the employer and not to the insurer, s. 102.62 shall apply applies and the relative liability of the parties shall be fixed and discharged as therein provided in that section. The department or the division may also order the employer or insurance carrier to reimburse the employee for any finance charges, collection charges , or interest which that the employee paid as a result of the inexcusable delay by the employer or insurance carrier.

SB21-SSA1,2841d Section 2841d. 102.22 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,874,13 102.22 (2) If the sum ordered by the department any sum that the department or the division orders to be paid is not paid when due, that sum shall bear interest at the rate of 10% 10 percent per year. The state is liable for such interest on awards issued against it under this chapter. The department or the division has jurisdiction to issue an award for payment of such interest under this subsection at any time within one year of after the date of its order, or upon appeal , if the order is appealed, within one year after final court determination. Such interest Interest awarded under this subsection becomes due from the date the examiner's order becomes final or from the date of a decision by the labor and industry review commission, whichever is later.

SB21-SSA1,2842d Section 2842d. 102.23 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,875,7 102.23 (1) (a) 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 the order or award or not, is subject to review only as provided in this section and not under ch. 227 or s. 801.02. 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, the division, or the commission under s. 102.18 any party aggrieved thereby by the order or award may 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. 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 which an action may be commenced by an additional 30 days. 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.

SB21-SSA1,2844d Section 2844d. 102.23 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,875,12 102.23 (2) Upon the trial of any such an action for review of an order or award the court shall disregard any irregularity or error of the commission or, the department, or the division unless it is made to affirmatively appear that the plaintiff was damaged thereby by that irregularity or error.

SB21-SSA1,2845d Section 2845d. 102.23 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,875,17 102.23 (3) The record in any case shall be transmitted to the department or the division within 5 days after expiration of the time for appeal from the order or judgment of the court, unless an appeal shall be is taken from such that order or judgment.

SB21-SSA1,2846d Section 2846d. 102.23 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,875,23 102.23 (5) When an action for review involves only the question of liability as between the employer and one or more insurance companies or as between several insurance companies, a party that has been ordered by the department , the division, the commission, or a court to pay compensation is not relieved from paying compensation as ordered.

SB21-SSA1,2847d Section 2847d. 102.24 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,876,9 102.24 (2) After the commencement of an action to review any order or award of the commission, the parties may have the record remanded by the court for such time and under such condition as they the parties may provide, for the purpose of having the department or the division act upon the question of approving or disapproving any settlement or compromise that the parties may desire to have so approved. If approved, the action shall be at an end and judgment may be entered upon the approval as upon an award. If not approved, the department or the division shall immediately return the record shall forthwith be returned to the circuit court and the action shall proceed as if no remand had been made.

SB21-SSA1,2848d Section 2848d. 102.25 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,876,22 102.25 (1) Any party aggrieved by a judgment entered upon the review of any order or award may appeal therefrom the judgment within the time period specified in s. 808.04 (1). A trial court shall may not require the commission or any party to the action to execute, serve, or file an undertaking under s. 808.07 or to serve, or secure approval of, a transcript of the notes of the stenographic reporter or the tape of the recording machine. The state is a party aggrieved under this subsection if a judgment is entered upon the review confirming any order or award against it the state. At any time before the case is set down for hearing in the court of appeals or the supreme court, the parties may have the record remanded by the court to the department or the division in the same manner and for the same purposes as provided for remanding from the circuit court to the department or the division under s. 102.24 (2).

SB21-SSA1,2849d Section 2849d. 102.26 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,877,11 102.26 (2) Unless previously authorized by the department or the division, no fee may be charged or received for the enforcement or collection of any claim for compensation, nor may any contract for that enforcement or collection be enforceable when that fee, inclusive of all taxable attorney fees paid or agreed to be paid for that enforcement or collection, exceeds 20 percent of the amount at which that the claim is compromised or of the amount awarded, adjudged, or collected, except that in cases of admitted liability in which there is no dispute as to the amount of compensation due and in which no hearing or appeal is necessary, the fee charged may not exceed 10 percent, but not to exceed $250, of the amount at which that the claim is compromised or of the amount awarded, adjudged, or collected. The limitation as to fees shall apply to the combined charges of attorneys, solicitors, representatives, and adjusters who knowingly combine their efforts toward the enforcement or collection of any compensation claim.

SB21-SSA1,2850d Section 2850d. 102.26 (3) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,877,16 102.26 (3) (b) 1. The department may Subject to sub. (2), upon application of any interested party and subject to sub. (2), the department or the division may fix the fee of the claimant's attorney or representative and provide in the award for that fee to be paid directly to the attorney or representative.

SB21-SSA1,2851d Section 2851d. 102.26 (3) (b) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,877,25 102.26 (3) (b) 3. The claimant may request the insurer or self-insured employer to pay any compensation that is due the claimant by depositing the payment directly into an account maintained by the claimant at a financial institution. If the insurer or self-insured employer agrees to the request, the insurer or self-insured employer may deposit the payment by direct deposit, electronic funds transfer, or any other money transfer technique approved by the department or the division. The claimant may revoke a request under this subdivision at any time by providing appropriate written notice to the insurer or self-insured employer.

SB21-SSA1,2852d Section 2852d. 102.26 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,878,8 102.26 (4) The charging or receiving of Any attorney or other person who charges or receives any fee in violation of this section shall be unlawful, and the attorney or other person guilty thereof shall may be required to forfeit double the amount retained by the attorney or other person, the same to which forfeiture shall be collected by the state in an action in debt, upon complaint of the department or the division. Out of the sum recovered the court shall direct payment to the injured party of the amount of the overcharge.

SB21-SSA1,2853d Section 2853d. 102.27 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,878,22 102.27 (2) (b) If a governmental unit provides public assistance under ch. 49 to pay medical costs or living expenses related to a claim under this chapter and if the governmental unit has given the parties to the claim written notice stating that the governmental unit provided the assistance and the cost of that assistance, the department or the division shall order the employer or insurance carrier owing compensation shall to reimburse that governmental unit any compensation awarded or paid if the governmental unit has given the parties to the claim written notice stating that it provided the assistance and the cost of the assistance provided. Reimbursement shall equal the lesser of either for the amount of assistance the governmental unit provided or two-thirds of the amount of the award or payment remaining after deduction of attorney fees and any other fees or costs chargeable under ch. 102, whichever is less. The department shall comply with this paragraph when making payments under s. 102.81.

SB21-SSA1,2861 Section 2861. 102.28 (3) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,879,14 102.28 (3) (c) An employee 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 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 employee's dependent, may request a hearing under s. 102.17 (1) to determine if the religious sect has provided the employee 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 division determines that the religious sect has not provided that standard of living or medical treatment, or both, the department division may order the religious sect to provide alternative benefits to that employee 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 employee or dependent could have received under this chapter but for the waiver under par. (a) 1.

SB21-SSA1,2865d Section 2865d. 102.28 (4) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,879,19 102.28 (4) (c) After a hearing under par. (b), or without a hearing if one is not requested, the department division may issue an order to an employer to cease operations on a finding that the employer is an uninsured employer. If no hearing is requested, the department may issue such an order.

SB21-SSA1,2866 Section 2866. 102.28 (4) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,879,23 102.28 (4) (d) The department of justice may bring an action in any court of competent jurisdiction for an injunction or other remedy to enforce the department's an order to cease operations under par. (c).

SB21-SSA1,2873d Section 2873d. 102.29 (1) (b) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,880,11 102.29 (1) (b) (intro.) If a party entitled to notice cannot be found, the department shall become the agent of that party for the giving of a notice as required in par. (a) and the notice, when given to the department, shall include an affidavit setting forth the facts, including the steps taken to locate that party. Each party shall have an equal voice in the prosecution of the claim, and any disputes arising shall be passed upon by the court before whom the case is pending, and if no action is pending, then by a court of record or by the department or the division. If notice is given as provided in par. (a), the liability of the tort-feasor shall be determined as to all parties having a right to make claim and, irrespective of whether or not all parties join in prosecuting the claim, the proceeds of the claim shall be divided as follows:

SB21-SSA1,2875d Section 2875d. 102.29 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,880,18 102.29 (1) (c) If both the employee or the employee's personal representative or other person entitled to bring action, and the employer, compensation insurer, or department, join in the pressing of said claim and are represented by counsel, the attorney fees allowed as a part of the costs of collection shall be, unless otherwise agreed upon, divided between the attorneys for those parties as directed by the court or by the department or the division.

SB21-SSA1,2876d Section 2876d. 102.29 (1) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21-SSA1,880,23 102.29 (1) (d) A settlement of a 3rd-party claim shall be void unless the settlement and the distribution of the proceeds of the settlement are approved by the court before whom the action is pending or, if no action is pending, then by a court of record or by the department or the division.

SB21-SSA1,2878 Section 2878. 102.29 (8) of the statutes is amended to read: