Ohio BWC sends more employers dividends
The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation has announced it has begun sending dividend checks to 3,000 newly eligible employers. The agency’s board of directors last month approved expansion of the agency’s December dividend to employers who did not originally meet eligibility requirements, and also to approve a medical services and safety committee recommendation for antiretroviral coverage of diagnostic services for any “peace officer, firefighter, emergency medical worker or detention facility employee exposed to blood or other body fluid” linked to HIV. Language also was approved expanding the COVID-19 exemption as an insurance risk factor to more members of the agency’s programs. Crain’s Cleveland Business
Tennessee to open special session to tackle COVID-19 mandates
The Tennessee General Assembly is heading into another special session this week, the third this year, and this time with a focus on COVID-19 mandates. Two bills have been filed so far, both authored by Republican State Rep. Scott Cepicky. One of the bills would make private employers liable for COVID-19 vaccine side effects. Employees would receive workers’ compensation if they experience a side effect. WVLT
New York restricts workplace screenings for cannabis
The New York Department of Labor has issued guidance that advises employees to avoid taking corrective action on employees who merely arrive at work smelling of cannabis smoke. The guidance, which comes on the heels of the state’s move to legalize the possession of recreational cannabis, advises that employers may direct an employee to undergo a cannabis test only if federal or state law requires drug testing or makes it a mandatory requirement of the position. The guidance allows businesses to take action against an employee who “manifests articulable symptoms” of being under the influence of weed while working. Daily Store (Oneonta, N.Y.)
Wyoming business owners tell state lawmakers: No more mandates
The Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce on Friday told Wyoming legislators they do not want more regulations or vaccine mandates, as the lawmakers gear up for a special session this week. The state legislature last week introduced 20 mirror bills in each chamber that will be up for discussion, including proposed legislation directly fighting the federal mandate, vaccine exemptions, immunization, mask rules in schools and a physician’s right to prescribe medicine. Wyoming Tribune Eagle