STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 53rd Legislature (2011)

SENATE BILL 886	By:	Bingman

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to workers’ compensation; amending 85 O.S. 2001, Section 3.7, which relates to powers and duties of Administrator; updating references; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1.     AMENDATORY     85 O.S. 2001, Section 3.7, is amended to read as follows:
Section 3.7  The Administrator shall have the following powers and duties:
1.  To hear and approve settlements pursuant to direction by the judges of the Court;
2.  To review and approve "own-risk" applications and group Self-insurance associations applications;
3.  To monitor "own-risk", self-insurer and group self-insurance programs in accordance with the rules of the Court;
4.  To establish a toll free telephone number in order to provide information and answer questions about the Court;
5.  To hear and determine claims concerning disputed medical bills;
6.  To promulgate necessary rules subject to the approval of the presiding judge;
7.  Such other duties and responsibilities authorized by law or as the judges of the Court may prescribe;
8.  To adopt rules which require every insurance company, the State Insurance Fund CompSource Oklahoma and every self-insurer authorized to transact workers' compensation insurance in this state to report to the Administrator its statistical experience and its experience regarding the utilization of independent medical examiners in permanent disability cases during the period from July 1, 1995, to July 1, 1997.  The information regarding utilization of independent medical examiners shall include, but not be limited to, the number of independent medical examiner appointments, the parties requesting the independent medical examiner, the doctors participating and the number of evaluations done by each, a summary of awards and settlements, medical costs, and duration of temporary total disability.  The Administrator shall compile the information collected and present a report of his or her findings to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Governor, the Advisory Council on Workers' Compensation and the Physician Advisory Committee; and
9.  To adopt rules which impose an administrative penalty of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for each day an insurance company or self-insurer fails to provide the information required pursuant to paragraph 8 of this section.
SECTION 2.  This act shall become effective November 1, 2011.

53-1-1005	TEK	1/20/2011 3:55:33 PM