Protz Fix, Uninsured Employer Fund Bills Clear Legislature

Thursday, October 18, 2018 | 0

Two workers' comp bills are on their way to the governor after passing the Pennsylvania legislature late Wednesday night, the last day of the 2018 session.

House Bill 1840, known as the Protz Fix because it aims to correct what the state Supreme Court struck down last year in Protz v. Workers' Compensation Appeals Board, passed the Senate 34-15. It was approved by the House in June.

The House also passed SB 676 by a vote of 185-0. That measure would shore up the ailing Uninsured Employers' Guaranty Fund by limiting some benefits and creating a more involved process for employees to prove employment. The bill almost triples the employer assessment to pay for the fund. The bill passed the Senate last year.

Because the bills were part of a package-deal compromise with Gov. Tom Wolf, lawmakers said he is expected to sign both of them. WorkCompCentral will have more on these developments Friday.