Bill Would Estabish Commission to Study Effectiveness of State Workers' Compensation Laws

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) introduced legislation that would authorize the creation of a National Commission on State Workers’ Compensation Laws.  The National Commission on State Workers’ Compensation Laws Act would establish a separate body to evaluate state workers’ compensation laws in order to determine if these laws provide an adequate, prompt, and equitable system of compensation and medical care for injury or death arising in the course of employment.

“I am proud to introduce this responsible legislation, which creates a long-overdue commission to study the validity of current state workers’ compensation laws,” said Rep. Baca.  “More than 35 years have passed since our government took a serious look at the effectiveness of workers’ compensation laws.  Access to proper benefits and medical care after on the job injuries is a right every American worker deserves.  I am hopeful this legislation will bring us closer to updating and modernizing our state workers’ compensation laws to ensure they remain effective in this new century.”

In 1972, a national commission authorized by the Nixon administration reported that the system of state workers’ compensation laws was “inequitable and inadequate.”  The commission made numerous recommendations and set minimum standard for ensuring a fair system at the state level.  But since 1972, no similar commission has ever been revisited to determine if states compensation laws still provide equitable wage and medical benefits, due process of law, and fair reporting of fraud by employers. 

The vast majority of American workers and their families depend on workers’ compensation for their basic economic security in the event of an injury or death in the course of employment.  Yet since the 1972 commission, changes and reductions in many state workers’ compensation laws have decreased the value and equity of some benefits.

“Proper workers’ compensation laws are essential to protecting the well-being of American families that suffer through an accident or a tragedy in the workplace,” concluded Rep. Baca.  “I am confident the non-partisan, independent commission my bill would establish will underscore what is working in state workers’ compensation laws, and bring to light the areas that need improvement.  We must do all we can to provide America’s working families with the protections they need in a time of crisis.” 

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