Ohio private employers to pay less in worker’s comp premiums
Workers’ compensation premium rates paid by private employers in Ohio will drop an average of 7.1 percent starting in July, the twelfth such decrease the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation has made since 2008, under a proposal approved Friday by the BWC’s board of directors, according to a news release. The exact rate reduction each employer will see will vary, depending on expected future claims costs in their industry, their company’s recent claims history, and participation in various BWC programs, according to the agency. Cleveland.com
New Mexico workers’ comp bill advances
A bill in that would allow essential employees who contract COVID-19 to qualify for workers’ compensation has advanced to the New Mexico House floor. The bill’s sponsors say businesses have not always followed COVID-safe practices, such as requiring masks. Farmington Daily Times
Michigan bill proposes workers’ compensation eligibility for some essential employees
Several Michigan state senators have introduced a bill intended to ensure essential employees can access workers’ compensation and that Michigan OSHA creates and enforces guidelines for workplace safety. Another bill would protect employees from adverse action if they are unable to come into work for any reasons related to COVID-19. Fox 66
Wife fights for disabled detective’s benefits after shooting
A detective who was shot in the head while investigating a drug cartel in 2018 now suffers from memory loss, painful nerve damage, post-traumatic stress disorder, a dislocated jaw and debilitating headaches. His wife says current state law pays about $11,000 of his salary a year under medical retirement, much less than if he had been killed. Now, she is supporting a bill in the Kentucky House that would increase that amount. WAVE3
Wyoming: Three county employees fired after failing drug tests
Three Park County employees recently were fired after they failed drug and alcohol tests. The department where they worked, which is generally made up of maintenance technicians and custodians, began a drug testing program last year to help get the county a 10 percent discount on its workers’ compensation premiums. Powell Tribune