Coalition Seeks Legislation for ERISA Alternative to Comp

By Bill Kidd, Central Bureau ChiefA  new coalition of Oklahoma employers trying to create an alternative program to workers’ compensation could know this week if the plan may be enacted during the current legislative session – or will be put off until 2012.The Oklahoma Injury Benefit Coalition (OIBC) wants to allow qualifying businesses to offer their employees a benefits plan under ERISA (the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) as an alternative to workers’ compensation.The coalition was organized earlier this year, but not in time to seek introduct...