Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has signed a bipartisan bill that brings updates to the state’s workers compensation system
Senate Bill 430 increases the maximum benefits for injured workers and adds a cost-of-living adjustment to those benefits beginning in July 2027. It also provides workers compensation coverage for members of the Kansas National Guard and significantly reduces the Social Security retirement offset for certain disability benefits.
The bill takes other steps to streamline the workers compensation process:
- Limiting the use of independent medical exams;
- Requiring the timely exchange of medical records; and
- Creating the ability to settle workers compensation cases without the need for a settlement hearing.
Governor Kelly said in a press release, “The reforms in this legislation will create a more just and efficient workers compensation system that increases the benefits for injured workers while creating administrative efficiencies and maintaining stability for businesses.”
