MS HB280

Revises drug and alcohol testing criteria under workers' compensation law to allow employer testing upon reasonable suspicion or following a work-related injury claim, with positive confirmatory tests creating a rebuttable presumption of reasonable suspicion.

Shifts burden of proof to employee to demonstrate that intoxication was not a contributing cause of the accident after employer proves intoxication by preponderance of evidence.

Increases maximum compensation for serious facial or head disfigurements from unspecified amount to Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00).

Increases maximum weekly compensation during vocational rehabilitation from unspecified amount to Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) per week for up to 52 weeks.

Increases death benefit compensation by raising the immediate lump-sum payment to surviving spouse to One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) and maximum funeral expenses to Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00).

Effective date: July 1, 2010.