FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
State Rep. Ken Smith D-Lackawanna www.pahouse.com/kSmith

Smith workers' compensation bill

approved by House Labor Relations Committee 

HARRISBURG, June 10 – State Rep. Ken Smith, D-Lackawanna, said the House Labor Relations Committee has approved legislation he introduced that would require schools in Pennsylvania to develop Workers' Compensation Fund safety committees by Dec. 31, 2010.

Smith said his legislation (H.B. 1569) would apply to parochial, private and public schools across the state. School districts would also receive a 5 percent reduction on their annual workers' compensation policy insurance rates if they maintain accident and illness prevention programs.

Currently, the Pennsylvania Department of Education does not require schools in Pennsylvania to maintain certified safety committees.

"My legislation would give school districts an incentive to establish safety committees in order to prevent accidents and at the same time receive a reduction in their workers' compensation insurance payments," Smith said.

Smith said the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry would have to provide the Department of Education with a list of school districts that already have certified safety committees in place.

Smith said he is hopeful the legislation will soon be voted on the full House.