By Representatives Lisk and Heavey

On page 2, line 10, after "absence" insert "of not less than thirteen consecutive calendar weeks"

On page 2, line 11, after "total" insert "physical"

On page 2, beginning on line 25, after "determination" strike all material through "employment" on line 26 and insert "must be filed in writing with the employment security department within twenty-six weeks following the week in which the period of temporary total physical disability commenced. This filing requirement is satisfied by filing a signed statement from the attending physician stating the date that the disability commenced and stating that the individual was unable to reenter the work force during the time of the disability. The department may examine any medical information related to the disability. If the claim is appealed, a base year employer may examine the medical information related to the disability and require, at the employer's expense, that the individual obtain the opinion of a second health care provider selected by the employer concerning any information related to the disability"

EFFECT: (1) To be eligible to apply for benefits after reentering the work force because of a non-work related injury, the individual must have been absent from the work force for at least 13 consecutive weeks.

(2) The individual's disability must be a physical disability.

(3) The application for benefits must be filed within 26 weeks after the disability commenced. A statement from the attending physician satisfies the filing requirement. The department may examine medical information related to the disability and, in case of appeal, the base year employer may also examine the medical information and require a second opinion from a health care provider selected by the employer.