CHAPTER 294

SB 203-FN - FINAL VERSION

03/12/2015   0705s

7Jan2016... 2543h

7Jan2016... 2570h

06/01/2016   2026CofC

2016 SESSION

15-0910

01/05

SENATE BILL 203-FN

AN ACT relative to review of eligibility for workers’ compensation.

SPONSORS: Sen. Soucy, Dist 18

COMMITTEE: Commerce

-----------------------------------------------------------------

AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill allows an injured worker whose treatment is purposely postponed for medical treatment beyond the fourth anniversary of the date of denial or last payment of compensation to petition the commissioner of labor, within a certain time frame, to review such denial or award of compensation.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

03/12/2015   0705s

7Jan2016... 2543h

7Jan2016... 2570h

06/01/2016   2026CofC

15-0910

01/05

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Sixteen

AN ACT relative to review of eligibility for workers’ compensation.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

294:1  New Paragraph; Workers’ Compensation; Review of Eligibility for Compensation.  Amend RSA 281-A:48 by inserting after paragraph I the following new paragraph:

I-a.  Any party at interest with regard to an injury occurring after January 1, 2016, where medical treatment for that injury is purposefully and intentionally postponed for medical reasons beyond the fourth anniversary of the date of denial or the last payment of compensation, may petition the commissioner to review such denial or award of compensation made pursuant to RSA 281-A:40 by filing a petition with the commissioner no later than 180 days after the date of the postponed treatment.  A written acknowledgment by the employee and notification to the workers’ compensation carrier shall be included in the worker’s medical record including the medical reason for postponing the medical procedure.  Any award or denial of indemnity payments made under this paragraph shall not extend the time frame under paragraph I.

294:2  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect 90 days after its passage.

Approved: June 21, 2016

Effective Date: September 19, 2016