S.B. 253 Summary

• Amends Section 386-79 to require independent medical examinations and permanent impairment rating examinations to be performed by physicians mutually agreed upon by employers and employees, or appointed by the director of labor and industrial relations if parties cannot agree.

• Establishes a 45-calendar-day timeframe for physicians to conduct examinations after selection or appointment, and prohibits combining independent medical examinations and permanent impairment rating examinations into a single examination without employee written consent.

• Limits examinations to one employer-requested independent medical examination and one permanent impairment rating examination per case unless valid medical reasons exist regarding treatment progress or contemplated major or elective surgery.

• Allows use of out-of-state physicians licensed in other states when no Hawaii-licensed physicians are available in a relevant medical specialty, or for out-of-state claimants under specified conditions.

• Appropriates funds for three permanent workers' compensation hearings officer positions and two permanent office assistant positions in the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations for fiscal years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019; effective January 1, 2018, and repeals June 30, 2023.