Pennsylvania Act 2002-202 — WORKERS' COMPENSATION ACT - AMEND DISCOUNT RATE ON WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE POLICIES

Act text

Session of 2002

No. 2002-202

SB 813

AN ACT

Amending the act of June 2, 1915 (P.L.736, No.338), entitled, as reenacted and amended, "An act defining the liability of an employer to pay damages for injuries received by an employe in the course of employment; establishing an elective schedule of compensation; providing procedure for the determination of liability and compensation thereunder; and prescribing penalties," further providing for the discount rate on workers' compensation insurance policies.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Section 1002 of the act of June 2, 1915 (P.L.736, No.338), known as the Workers' Compensation Act, reenacted and amended June 21, 1939 (P.L.520, No.281) and amended June 24, 1996 (P.L.350, No.57), is amended to read:

Section 1002. (a) An insured employer may make application to the department for the certification of any established safety committee operative within its workplace developed for the purpose of hazard detection and accident prevention. The department shall develop such certification criteria.

(b) Upon the renewal of the employer's workers' compensation policy next following receipt of department certification, the employer shall receive [a] an annual five per centum discount in the rate or rates applicable to the policy [for a period of one year. The five per centum discount shall continue for a total of five years] if the employer, [by affidavit] on a form prescribed by the department , provides annual verification to the department and to the employer's insurer that the safety committee continues to be operative and continues to meet the certification requirements.

Section 2. The amendment of section 1002(b) of the act shall apply to policies issued or renewed on or after the effective date of this act.

Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.

APPROVED--The 9th day of December, A. D. 2002.

MARK S. SCHWEIKER