Government Gives Up on Plan to Fine Maritime Employers
Published Date: 1/13/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The Department of Labor is hitting pause and withdrawing its plan to change how penalties are handled under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act. This affects workers, employers, and insurers involved in harbor and longshore work. No new penalty rules will take effect for now, as the agency wants to gather more feedback and align changes with tech upgrades before moving forward.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Business rules pause on penalties
If you are an employer or insurer involved in longshore or harbor work, the Department of Labor withdrew its proposed procedures for civil money penalties under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act. The withdrawal is effective January 13, 2025, so the proposed new penalty procedures will not take effect while OWCP does more stakeholder outreach and completes its information-technology modernization.
Workers see status quo continued
If you are a longshore or harbor worker, the planned changes to how civil money penalties are assessed under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act will not take effect for now. The withdrawal is effective January 13, 2025, and OWCP says it will engage stakeholders and await IT modernization before possibly proposing new procedures.
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