OMA Works to Improve Workers’ Compensation “Illegal Alien” Amendment

The House Insurance Committee is considering an amendment to the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation budget bill that would prevent illegal aliens from receiving workers’ compensation benefits if the injured employees can prove their employer knew of their illegal status when hiring them.

Last week the OMA issued a letter to Rep. Tom Brinkman (R-Mt. Lookout), Chairman of the House Insurance Committee, urging caution as the amendment creates a new cause of action against employers. OMA wrote: “It would vacate the no-fault aspect of the system for employers and expose them to litigation risk.”

In response to employer concerns, House leadership worked with OMA to make changes to the amendment that would offer more protections for employers.  3/30/2017