On January 26, 2009, the general session of the Utah legislature begins. Currently, there are several bills that have been introduced that may have an impact on employers and employees in this legislative session. The following is a list of current bills that may have an effect on employers and employees in the state.
House Legislation:
House Bill 39, Utah Injured Worker Reemployment Act. This act amends particular portions of the Workers Compensation statute related to the rehabilitation and reemployment of injured employees. It amends and restructures the existing Utah Injured Worker Reemployment Act and includes reporting requirements for rehabilitation efforts made by employers and insurers. It provides for the Division of Industrial Accidents to make rules and regulations consistent with the statute. It further clarifies the process for making referrals and initial reports of rehabilitation efforts. It also clarifies provisions related to a rehabiliation counselor and extends the sunset date of the statute to July 1, 2014.
House Bill 82, Teacher Mortgage Loan Program. Although this is not a bill generally applicable to all employees, the bill provides a new benefit to teachers employed in local school districts or charter schools. The bill would provide those teachers a loan of up to $15,000 for the purchase of a first home. Loan amounts are forgiven depending upon how long a teacher stays employed by the school district or charter school.
House Bill 12, County Sheriff Qualifications Amendments. Again although not a bill generally applicable to all employers, it is an important bill for counties. It provides new certification requirements for county sheriffs elected after the 2008 general election.
Senate Legislation:
Senate Bill 39, Immigration Amendments. This bill makes amendments to the Identity Documents and Verification Act. It clarifies that no local public entity may enter into a contract through a request for proposal process with a contractor who has failed to register and participate in an approved Status Verification System, such as the federal E-Verify program. It also provides that an individual need not verify lawful presence in the country to receive benefits under the Utah State Retirement and Insurance Benefit Act.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 1, Concurrent Resolution Requesting a Federal Waiver to Establish an Employer-Sponsored Work Program, urges Congress to grant Utah a waiver to allow it to institute an employer-sponsored work program providing a two-year, renewable guest worker authorizaton for foreign workers and undocumented immigrants currently residing in the state and allowing employers to withhold federal FICA and Medicare revenue to apply it toward the health insurance and other administrative costs of the program.
Senate Bill 31, Utah Residential Mortgage Practices and Licensing Act. Although not a bill generally applicable to all employers, it is an important bill for businesses originating and making residential mortgage loans. It makes amendments to licensing requirements, including examination, prelicensing education, and continuing education requirements; conditional licensing; and reactivating inactive licenses, for residential mortgage lenders.Labels: Benefits, Educators, Government Employees, Government Employer, Immigration, Legislation, Teachers, Utah Legislation, Workers Compensation