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KentuckySB 2012025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

AN ACT relating to workers' compensation.

Sponsored By: Phillip Wheeler (Republican)

Became Law

Labor and IndustryState AgenciesWorkers' CompensationAdministrative Regulations and ProceedingsBoards and Commissions

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More medical providers for injured workers

Kentucky’s workers’ compensation law counts audiologists with a doctorate in audiology as physicians when working within their professional credentials. The commissioner must contract with the University of Pikeville medical school, alongside the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville. These schools evaluate work injuries, occupational hearing loss, and occupational diseases when a medical question is at issue. Occupational disease evaluations may also use other qualified B readers who are Kentucky-licensed, board-certified lung specialists.

Longer terms for compensation decision makers

The law extends specified terms for Workers’ Compensation Board members not awaiting Senate reappointment and judges not awaiting Senate confirmation. For both groups, terms ending on or before December 1, 2025, extend to June 1, 2026. Terms ending on or before December 1, 2026, extend to June 1, 2027. Terms ending on or before December 1, 2027, extend to June 1, 2028. For judges only, terms ending on or before December 1, 2028, extend to June 1, 2029.

New rules for workers’ compensation nominations

At least two Workers’ Compensation Nominating Committee members must earn no income directly from the workers’ compensation program. The Governor must replace current members who earn such income. The commissioner must certify needed judge positions 150 days before terms expire, instead of 120 days; only certified positions can be filled. The committee can recommend keeping a sitting Workers’ Compensation Board member. Otherwise, it must give the Governor three candidates at least 30 days before that member’s term ends.

New service dates for compensation officials

New Workers’ Compensation Board members cannot start until 30 days after Senate confirmation; new judges wait until June 1 following confirmation. Reappointed members and judges keep serving until Senate confirmation or Senate adjournment without confirmation. Appointees filling unfinished terms start immediately, subject to Senate confirmation, and serve the rest of those terms. If the Governor makes no board appointment within 30 days after receiving nominees, the previous member can keep serving temporarily. That service must end when the Senate adjourns in the year after the member’s term expires.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Phillip Wheeler

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 253 • No: 0

House vote • 3/14/2025

Bill passed

Yes: 88 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/14/2025

Bill passed

Yes: 37 • No: 0

House vote • 3/12/2025

3rd reading, passed

Yes: 93 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/27/2025

3rd reading, passed

Yes: 35 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. became law without Governor's Signature (Acts Ch. 93)

    3/27/2025

  2. filed without Governor's signature with the Secretary of State

    3/25/2025

  3. delivered to Governor

    3/14/2025

  4. enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House

    3/14/2025Senate

  5. enrolled, signed by President of the Senate

    3/14/2025Senate

  6. Bill passed 37-0

    3/14/2025Senate

  7. Free Conference Committee report adopted in Senate

    3/14/2025Senate

  8. posted for passage for consideration of Free Conference Committee Report (1)

    3/14/2025Senate

  9. received in Senate

    3/14/2025Senate

  10. Bill passed 88-0

    3/14/2025House

  11. Free Conference Committee report adopted in House

    3/14/2025House

  12. Free Conference Committee report (1) filed in House and Senate

    3/14/2025House

  13. Free Conference Committee appointed in House and Senate

    3/14/2025House

  14. Conference Committee report adopted in House and Senate

    3/14/2025House

  15. Conference Committee report filed in House and Senate

    3/14/2025House

  16. Conference Committee appointed in Senate

    3/14/2025Senate

  17. Conference Committee appointed in House

    3/13/2025House

  18. House refused to recede from Floor Amendment (1)

    3/13/2025House

  19. posted for passage for receding from House Floor Amendment (1)

    3/13/2025House

  20. taken from Rules (H)

    3/13/2025House

  21. to Rules (H)

    3/13/2025House

  22. received in House

    3/13/2025House

  23. Senate refused to concur in House Floor Amendment (1)

    3/13/2025House

  24. posted for passage for concurrence in House Floor Amendment (1)

    3/13/2025House

  25. to Rules (S)

    3/12/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Current

    3/14/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    2/27/2025

    PDF

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