NY A04937

Amends Social Services Law section 104-b to allow the department to place liens on workers' compensation awards for repayment of public assistance and care provided to injured workers.

Modifies Workers' Compensation Law section 33 to make compensation and benefits subject to claims filed by social services officials for reimbursement of public assistance paid during the covered period.

Requires workers' compensation insurers and self-insured employers to receive a copy of the reimbursement claim before an award is made, or the board's decision must direct such reimbursement.

Clarifies that social services districts are entitled to reimbursement for medical and hospital services provided to injured employees under Workers' Compensation Law section 13, consistent with existing insurer reimbursement provisions.

Exempts volunteer firefighters' benefit law and volunteer ambulance workers' benefit law from the public assistance lien provisions.

Takes effect January 1, 2017.