HI HB423

Requires injured employees who elect vocational rehabilitation to select a certified provider within 30 days of referral; if they fail to do so, the employer selects the provider, and the employee then has 30 days to choose a different provider

Mandates providers automatically approve vocational rehabilitation services for injured employees when the provider determines such services will likely be required for return to suitable gainful employment

Requires providers to submit initial evaluation reports within 45 days of referral and file rehabilitation plans within 90 days of the initial evaluation report, unless all parties agree to an extension

Establishes a sequential process for rehabilitation plans: first attempting return to usual employment, then modified work with same employer, then different employer, then retraining programs, and finally self-employment

Effective date of July 1, 2050