‘A win for our workforce’: Kelly signs workers compensation bill
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TOPEKA (KSNT) – Kansas’ governor is giving her approval on a workers compensation bill this week.
Governor Laura Kelly is signing Senate Bill 430 Thursday, April 11, according to an announcement from the Office of the Governor. The bill updates the state’s workers compensation system.
“This legislation is a win for our workforce, our businesses, and organized labor,” Kelly said. “The reforms in this legislation will create a more just and efficient workers compensation system that increases the benefits for injured workers while creating administrative efficiencies and maintaining stability for businesses.”
The bill increases the maximum benefits for injured workers and adds a cost-of-living adjustment to those benefits starting in July 2027. It also provides workers compensation coverage for Kansas National Guard members which reduces the Social Security retirement offset for some disability benefits. SB 430 also streamlines the workers compensation process by”:
Limiting the use of independent medical exams
Requiring the timely exchange of medical records
Creating the ability to settle workers compensation cases without the need for a settlement hearing
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“SB 430 is the result of Labor, the Kansas Trial Lawyers Association, the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, and other business interests working together to improve the Kansas Workers Compensation Act,” said Jan Fisher, representative of Kansas AFL-CIO. “This legislation substantially increases the maximum compensation available for all injured workers or their dependents and automatically increases the maximum compensation levels to keep up with the cost of living. The compromise package also includes changes in the administrative system, increasing efficiency and access.”
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