The Missouri House plan for injured Missouri workers might put judges in the hot seat. Tim Carnahan has more from the state Capitol.
The House plan would limit terms for judges hearing workers compensation cases to twelve years, a provision not in the original Senate bill.
GOP lawmakers anticipate House and Senate negotiations will change that in the final version of the bill.
Senator John Loudon authored the Senate version of the bill.
Supporters say more judicial accountability could decrease judicial bias, increasing fairness in workers' compensation hearings.
House Democrats say judicial review could do the exact opposite, making judges more responsible to the majority party in charge of their review.
From the state Capitol, I'm Tim Carnahan.
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The Missouri House has replaced a Senate plan for injured workers with one of their own. Tim Carnahan has more from the state Capitol.
The House version reverses many compromises Democrats negotiated into the Senate bill.
The bill would reduce what injuries qualify for compensation and limit how long workers have to file claims.
St. Louis County Senator Tim Green says the House bill is a big step back.
The House bill would also create term limits for judges hearing workers' compensation cases.
But, GOP leaders now say the final bill could favor periodic judicial review over term limits.
From the state Capitol, I'm Tim Carnahan.
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The Missouri House is going to have its say on a bill changing how injured workers receive compensation. Tim Carnahan has more from the state Capitol.
In a broad stroke, the Missouri House submitted a bill replacing much of the Senate compromise on changes to workers' compensation law with greater restrictions for workers.
The House bill prompted St. Louis County Representative Thomas George to issue a warning to Missouri workers.
Supporters of the bill say it will streamline the process, lower employee fraud, and get workers back on the job more quickly.
The bill restricts what injuries qualify for compensation, and reduces how long workers have to file claims.
Workers aggravating previous injuries, or suffering from age-related conditions would not be eligible for compensation.
From the state Capitol, I'm Tim Carnahan.