HI SB305

Establishes a new chapter in Hawaii Revised Statutes creating a Workers' Compensation Injured Workers Bill of Rights as guidelines for administering workers' compensation claims under chapter 386.

Guarantees injured workers the right to select an attending physician with the ability to change physicians within 30 days, and entitles them to prompt hearings within 90 days of filing (or 30 days for emergency medical services cases).

Provides injured workers with rights to independent vocational assessment and rehabilitation services, impairment ratings that assess chronic pain and depression, second medical opinions for recommended surgery, and non-party independent medical examinations at insurer expense.

Entitles injured workers to disability benefits based on actual take-home pay, permanent total disability benefits if unable to return to substantial gainful employment, and realistic cost of living increases in benefits as determined by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

Requires the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations to adopt rules for distributing the bill of rights to employers and employees and mandates employers display it in accessible locations.