Amendments to the Worker's Compensation Act Plain Language Summary 2023 Wisconsin Act 213 Effective Date: March 24, 2024

1. PPD Rate. The maximum weekly permanent partial disability (PPD) rate will increase to $438 for injuries occurring on and after March 24, 2024, and increase to $446 for injuries occurring on and after January 1, 2025. s. 102.11 (1) (intro.)
2. Advanced Practice Registered Nurse. The terminology is changed from "advanced practice nurse prescriber" to "advanced practice registered nurse". ss. 102.13 (1) (a), (b) (intro.) 1., 3., & 4., (d) 1., 2., 3. & 4., (2) (a) & (b); 102.17 (1) (d) 1. & 2.; 102.29 (3); & 102.42 (2) (a)
3. Statute of Limitations. The statute of limitations begins to run on the date an order is issued by the Division of Hearings and Appeals that approves a compromise agreement and subsequent claims will not be barred except as provided by the applicable statute of limitations. s. 102.17 (4) (a)
4. Closure of Cases. The Division of Hearings and Appeals (DHA) is required to return to the Worker's Compensation Division (WCD) the case file for any case within 30 days after DHA issues an order when no pending appeal. The WCD has exclusive authority to close a case and to notify the parties when it closes a case. The WCD is required to forward a file of a closed case to DHA if a hearing is required because a party in interest filed a subsequent hearing application. s. 102.18 (1) (b) 1d., 1h., 1p. & 1t.
5. Lump Sum Payments for PPD. Lump sum payments for permanent partial disability (PPD) for unaccrued compensation may be paid voluntarily in advance in undisputed claims with no 5% interest credit. s. 102.32 (6m) (a) & (b)
6. Dependents. The amendment changed the language to be gender neutral relating to marriage. s. 102.52 (1) (a) 1.; repeal of s. 102.51 (1) (a) 2.
7. Vocational Rehabilitation. The amendment corrected citations to the Federal rehabilitation law. s. 102.61 (1), (1g) (b) and (c), & (1m) (a)
8. Uninsured Employer Fund (UEF). The amount of large UEF claims is increased from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 that require reimbursement from worker's compensation insurance carriers. s. 102.81 (1) (c) 1. & 2.