Testimony on Bill to Forbid Benefit Denial Reveals Divisions

A hearing last week on legislation to forbid employers from withholding workers' compensation benefits while investigating claims revealed tension between the legislative and executive branch. The state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations entered testimony opposing the measure. In critical testimony, the state Department of Human Resources Development asked the Legislature to postpone the bill until more research is completed. Meanwhile, 10 people representing providers, injured workers' groups, a local union and the claimant bar voiced their support of the measure.  P...