H97 - 2015 Appropriations Act, Sec. 30.18: State Workers' Compensation Reform (SL 2015-241)

Overview: Sec. 30.18 rewrites Article 63 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes to provide for centralized coordination of the workplace safety, health, and workers' compensation benefits programs, for State agencies, The University of North Carolina, and the Office of Administrative Hearings. Further, this section amends G.S. 143-166.14 to provide that a State employee remains eligible for salary payments, notwithstanding partial or total incapacity, if the employee's injury results or arises from an episode of violence or resistance, or due to a specialized hazard that occurs while the employee is performing official duties. After two years, the employee becomes subject to the provisions of the Workers' Compensation Act. The time period for which the employee receives salary continuation under G.S. 143-166.14 will be deducted from the person's total eligibility for workers' compensation benefits under Chapter 97 of the General Statutes. "Salary" is re-defined as the total base pay of the person reflected on the person's salary statement, not including overtime pay, shift differential pay, holiday pay, or other additional earnings to which the person may have been eligible prior to such incapacity.

This section became effective July 1, 2015.