State Rep. Bob Peterson | The Ohio House of Representatives
State Rep. Bob Peterson | The Ohio House of Representatives
The Ohio House of Representatives has given its approval to House Bill 80 and House Bill 81, which are the biennial budgets for the Industrial Commission (IC) and the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) for the fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The announcement came from Representative Peterson, the Chairman of the Public Insurance and Pensions Committee. According to Peterson, both agencies play crucial roles in the state, with the Industrial Commission focusing on the fair and prompt resolution of workers' compensation claims and the BWC implementing significant rate reductions for private employers in recent years.
The Industrial Commission's budget, outlined in House Bill 80, is dedicated to resolving disputes over compensation and medical benefits related to work-related injuries and diseases. The commission aims to use technology to improve the hearing process for injured workers by making it more user-friendly and exploring remote hearing options. These efforts are designed to save time and reduce costs. The commission’s funding comes from an Administrative Cost Fund surcharge on the workers’ compensation insurance base premium.
For the BWC, House Bill 81 proposes several updates, including a provision that allows for the purchase, repair, and replacement of prosthetic devices necessitated by workplace injuries, even after the claim's life has expired. This modification addresses the issue of prosthetic devices needing repair or replacement beyond the current five-year limit, which is shorter than the devices' average lifespan.
House Bill 81 also revises the Prison Industries Enhancement Certification Program and alters the process for prisoners injured during employment. It simplifies the transition for employers using Professional Employer Organizations to return to the state's insurance fund and renames the BWC's ombudsperson system to the Workers' Compensation Customer Advocacy Office. The funding for the BWC budget comes from employer premium payments and some federal grants.
Both bills will be sent to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.
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