Last week, the Pennsylvania House and Senate returned to Harrisburg for the final week of legislative session before the upcoming General Election on November 5. Notably, the Senate voted to send two separate proposals related to workers’ compensation to the governor’s desk.
Direct Deposit for Workers’ Compensation Payments (S.B. 1232)
The Senate unanimously voted to pass Senate Bill 1232 last Tuesday, concurring with amendments made in the House of Representatives.
The bill modernizes the Workers Compensation Act by establishing a regulatory framework related to the payment of workers’ compensation wage payments by direct deposit. This legislation would both allow workers’ compensation claimants to receive benefits by direct deposit and allow employers to require payment of benefits by direct deposit.
These reforms were unanimously recommended by the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council.
We supported this legislation, which now awaits the governor’s signature to become law.
Workers’ Compensation PTSI Coverage (S.B. 365)
The Senate also voted to pass Senate Bill 365 last week.
This legislation would expand eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits for certain public emergency response personnel diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Injury.
Under current law, mental health may be covered under workers’ compensation if it is related to a physical injury or the result of abnormal work conditions. Otherwise, mental health care is generally covered by regular health insurance. This bill represents a significant shift for emergency responders by expanding the standard to normal work conditions.
We opposed previous iterations of this bill based on concerns that it lacked safeguards to prevent misuse. Ultimately the sponsor agreed to multiple amendments we had suggested, and we took a neutral position on the bill.
Senate Hearing Focuses on Waste to Fuel Efforts
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee also held a public hearing on “waste to fuels,” where representatives from several agribusinesses and the PA Farm Bureau discussed agriculture’s role in Pennsylvania’s energy future. They cited the example of Perdue AgriBusiness which began crushing soybeans to produce co-products that are used for many nonfood applications, including personal care products and cosmetics.
The testifiers explained that, during the last decade, many farms began using renewable energy systems, including geothermal, solar panels, windmills, hydro systems, and methane digesters. They said these systems allow farmers to generate renewable energy on their land and encouraged continued research and infrastructure to support waste-to-fuel projects, along with reducing regulatory impediments.
Representatives for the waste industry also discussed the production and potential uses of biogas, particularly renewable natural gas (RNG), from landfills as a sustainable energy source and advocated for increased investment in RNG infrastructure.
In addition, officials from several PA Chamber member companies – including UGI Energy Services, CNX, Sheetz, and UPS — explained their corporations’ engagement in various waste to fuels efforts as a win for both the environment and the economy and stressed the importance of crafting regulations that benefit the Commonwealth’s future.