FL S0444

Extends the timeframe for employers to provide business records from 5 to 10 business days before the Department of Financial Services can issue a stop-work order for non-compliance with workers' compensation coverage requirements.

Requires stop-work order information to be published on the Division of Workers' Compensation website and updated daily, with records maintained for at least 5 years.

Increases the penalty for non-compliance from 1.5 to 2 times the unpaid premium amount, lookback period from 3 years to 2 years, and requires a $1,000 down payment with remaining penalties payable through a payment agreement within 28 days.

Allows first-time violators to receive a credit for their initial workers' compensation policy premium against the assessed penalty when they secure coverage.

Reduces the Special Disability Trust Fund assessment rate cap from 4.52 percent to 2.5 percent and revises the assessment calculation methodology based on anticipated disbursements and expected fund balance.

Makes technical corrections to compensation formulas for disability and death benefits, converting fractional percentages to decimal equivalents (66 2/3 to 66.67 percent, etc.).

Takes effect July 1, 2014.