Committee Clears Bill to Close 'Loophole' Used to Deny Undocumented Workers' Claims

A state Senate committee on Tuesday cleared a bill that would remove an avenue for insurers to avoid paying workers’ comp claims for undocumented workers. The Banking and Insurance Committee voted 6-4 in favor of Senate Bill 1568, by Sen. Gary Farmer, D-Fort Lauderdale. SB 1568 would rescind a 2003 law that makes it a felony to apply for workers' compensation benefits using false statements. Many undocumented immigrants apply for jobs using false Social Security numbers, which often end up on a workers' compensation claim form if the worker is injured. A ProPublica investi...