02/21/2024 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE

           SB 206-WORKERS' COMP. STAY-AT-WORK PROGRAM                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:24:22 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  BJORKMAN announced  the consideration  of SENATE  BILL NO.                                                               
206  "An  Act  relating  to  workers'  compensation  reemployment                                                               
benefits;  establishing  a   workers'  compensation  stay-at-work                                                               
program; and providing for an effective date."                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
He expressed that the intention of  the committee is to recap the                                                               
bill,  take  public  testimony  and  look  to  the  will  of  the                                                               
committee.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
2:25:00 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR ELVI  GRAY-JACKSON, speaking  as the  sponsor of  SB 206,                                                               
read from sections of the sponsor statement for SB 206:                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     Each  year, countless  workers face  the challenges  of                                                                    
     injuries,  illnesses, or  changes  in their  disability                                                                    
     status,  often leading  to significant  time away  from                                                                    
     work. This not only  affects their livelihoods but also                                                                    
     impacts  the workforce  and  economy  at large.  Senate                                                                    
     Bill  206, which  would  establish  a stay-at-work  and                                                                    
     return-to-work program, seeks  to restore Alaska's once                                                                    
     strong and  healthy workforce. Through the  creation of                                                                    
     this program,  an injured  worker may  elect assistance                                                                    
     to return-to-work  with their  employer at the  time of                                                                    
     injury. The Program is optional  and can be declined by                                                                    
     a worker or an employer.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     Across  the  United  States,  states  like  Oregon  and                                                                    
     Montana, have made  significant strides in implementing                                                                    
     SAW/RTW initiatives.  These programs  have demonstrated                                                                    
     success in reducing the time  employees spend away from                                                                    
     work   due  to   disabilities  or   injuries,  offering                                                                    
     financial   incentives,   and  facilitating   necessary                                                                    
     workplace   adjustments.   The  adoption   of   similar                                                                    
     legislation  in Alaska  promises substantial  benefits.                                                                    
     It can enhance our  state's workforce stability, reduce                                                                    
     the economic impact of  prolonged employee absence, and                                                                    
     promote   a   more   inclusive  and   supportive   work                                                                    
     environment.  By passing  this legislation,  Alaska can                                                                    
     join other  states in  leading the  way towards  a more                                                                    
     adaptable   and    supportive   workforce,   ultimately                                                                    
     benefiting  both  our  economy  and  the  wellbeing  of                                                                    
     Alaskan workers.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
2:26:57 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR BJORKMAN opened  public testimony on SB  206; finding none,                                                               
he closed public testimony.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
2:27:52 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR BJORKMAN solicited a motion.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
2:27:56 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR MERRICK  moved to report  SB 206, work  order 33-LS1084\A                                                               
from  committee  with  individual  recommendations  and  attached                                                               
fiscal note(s).                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
2:28:14 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR BJORKMAN  found no objection  and SB 206 was  reported from                                                               
the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.