Montana State Fund lowers workers’ comp rates again
The Montana State Fund has announced a 3 percent average rate reduction for its policyholders. The decision came at the March 11 meeting of the fund’s board of directors and is effective for new and renewal policies on or after July 1. This reduction marks the 16th consecutive year MSF rates have remained flat or been reduced. Roundup
The Tennessee Senate recommended the passage of a bill that would require more businesses to use E-Verify to confirm the eligibility of employees to work in the U.S. Current law requires businesses of 50+ employees to utilize this system. The senate is pushing for businesses with 35+ employees to do the same. NewsChannel 9
Injury compensation measures for emergency responders advance in House
The House Education and Labor Committee has passed HR-2499, to provide that heart disease, lung disease, and specified cancers are presumed to be caused by employment for purposes of workers’ compensation benefits for federal employees who worked in fire protection activities. Covered occupations would include, in addition to firefighting, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, rescue workers, ambulance personnel, or hazardous material workers. The committee also approved a bill that would include nurse practitioners and physician assistants as eligible providers under the FECA program. FedWeek
Tampa Bay law enforcement agencies weigh how to classify coronavirus deaths
COVID-19 accounted for more than 75 percent of 2021 Florida police officer deaths, but despite the virus’ status as the leading cause of death for law enforcement officers over the past two years, Florida agencies do not have a uniform approach to how these fatalities are classified and whether officers’ surviving relatives will receive line-of-duty death benefits. Tampa Bay Times [may require registration]