Bill > HB1110

This bill amends the Mississippi workers' compensation law to require the Workers' Compensation Commission to schedule an emergency hearing within 20 days when either party in a workers' compensation claim requests such a hearing. Currently, the commission has broad discretion to order hearings, but this bill introduces a specific timeline and mandate for emergency hearings. The bill also brings forward Section 71-3-55, which outlines the commission's procedural rules, including that hearings are open to the public, can be stenographically reported, and are typically conducted in the county where the workplace injury occurred. The commission is already empowered to investigate claims flexibly, not being strictly bound by traditional legal evidence rules, and this bill maintains that approach while adding the new requirement for prompt emergency hearings. The provisions will take effect on July 1, 2025, providing a clear implementation date for the new hearing requirement. This change is intended to potentially expedite the resolution of workers' compensation claims by ensuring a quick hearing can be scheduled when deemed necessary by either the injured worker or the employer/insurance carrier.

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https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB1110.xml