HI SB2167

Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 386-93(a) to authorize assessment of reasonable attorney's fees against parties who bring, prosecute, or defend workers' compensation proceedings without reasonable grounds.

Current law allows assessment of "whole costs of the proceedings" but does not explicitly include attorney's fees; this bill adds "and reasonable attorney's fees" to the statute.

Attorney's fees may be assessed by the director of labor and industrial relations, the appellate board, or any court.

Takes effect upon approval.