Senator Proposes Increasing Dependent Benefit Amount

Utah state Sen. Karen Mayne introduced legislation that would increase indemnity benefits paid to dependents of an injured worker. In addition to wage replacement benefits, injured workers currently receive an additional $5 for a dependent spouse and $5 for each dependent child under the age of 18. Senate Bill 40 by Mayne, D-Salt Lake City, would increase the add-on to $20 for a dependent spouse and $20 for each child. Mayne proposed similar changes to the add-on for death benefits last year in SB 120. The bill, which Gov. Gary Herbert signed into law in March, increased the minimum dea...