Mississippi HB 720: Workers' compensation; require emergency hearing upon request of either party.

Bill Text

HB 720 (As Introduced) - 2019 Regular Session 

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2019 Regular Session

To: Insurance

By: Representative Watson

House Bill 720

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 71-3-47, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, 
TO REQUIRE THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION COMMISSION TO ORDER AN EMERGENCY HEARING 
UPON REQUEST OR PETITION OF EITHER PARTY FOR SUCH HEARING; AND FOR RELATED 
PURPOSES.

���� BE IT ENACTED BY THE 
LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

���� SECTION 1.� Section 
71-3-47, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

���� 71-3-47.� Except as 
otherwise provided by this chapter, the details of practice and procedure in 
the settlement and adjudication of claims shall be determined by rules of the 
commission, the text of which shall be published and be readily available to 
interested parties.

���� The commission shall have 
full power and authority to determine all questions relating to the payment of 
claims for compensation.� The commission shall make or cause to be made such 
investigation as it deems necessary and, upon application of either party or 
upon its own initiative, shall order a hearing, shall make or deny an award, 
and shall file the same in its office.

���� Upon request or petition 
of either party for an emergency hearing, the commission shall order such 
hearing within twenty (20) days of the request or petition.

���� Informal conferences and 
hearings in contested cases may be conducted by a duly designated representative 
of the commission. Upon the conclusion of any such hearing, the commission's 
representative shall make or deny an award, and file the decision in the office 
of the commission.� Immediately after such filing, a notice of decision shall 
be sent to all interested parties.� This decision shall be final unless within 
twenty (20) days a request or petition for review by the full commission is 
filed.

���� SECTION 2.� This act 
shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2019.