Vermont Senate Passes Reforms, but No Benefit Decrease

The Vermont Senate unanimously approved a series of reforms to the state's workers' compensation system last week that include a crackdown on the misclassification of workers, a change in the calculation of average weekly benefits and an unusual provision that allows employers to pay small claims out of pocket to avoid changes in their experience modifiers. Some of the key provisions came in the form of an amendment offered by the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs on Tuesday. As amended, Senate Bill 345 passed the Senate 28-0 on Thursday and headed for the H...