Governor Mike DeWine last week submitted to the General Assembly his recommendations for funding the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) and the Ohio Industrial Commission (OIC) for the upcoming 2020-2021 budget biennium. The appropriated budgets for BWC and OIC cover the agencies’ administrative operations and are supported by workers’ compensation premiums paid by Ohio employers. Benefits, including lost wages and medical benefits for injured workers, are paid separately from the State Insurance Fund. The BWC’s recommended operating budget reflects the previously announced proposal to reduce the average premium rate BWC charges private employers by 20%, effective July 1, 2019. Governor DeWine is also recommending these priority investments:

• A multi-million dollar increase to BWC’s Substance Use Recovery and Workplace Safety Program, which helps employers hire and retain workers recovering from substance use disorders.
• $2 million to create a new Safety and Health Center of Excellence to test and deploy advances in science and technology to prevent occupational accidents, injuries, and illnesses.
• $40 million over the biennium for safety grants.

2/16/2019