Testimony for February 25, 2013

HB 634 - Relating to Labor - Establishes job security requirements upon the divestiture of a covered establishment if the covered establishment employs 100 or more persons.

HB 437 HD1 - Relating to Workers' Compensation - Requires, among other things, independent medical examinations and permanent impairment rating examinations for workers' compensation claims to be performed by physicians mutually agreed upon by employers and employees or appointed by the Director of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Allows for the use of an out-of-state physician under certain conditions. Appropriates unspecified funds. Effective January 1, 2113. Repealed on June 30, 2018.

Testimony for February 22, 2013

HB 21 HD1 - Relating to Condominiums - Repeals the prioritization of liens for unpaid mortgages over subsequently recorded liens for unpaid condominium association fees. Clarifies the obligations of the acquirer of a foreclosed unit under the lien for unpaid association fees. Effective July 1, 2112.

SB 1370 SD1 - Relating to Mediation Affecting Judicial Foreclosure - Expands the application of mandatory mortgage foreclosure dispute resolution by requiring mortgagees, at the mortgagor's election, to participate in mediation to avoid foreclosure or mitigate damages from foreclosure prior to filing a judicial foreclosure action for property that has been the mortgagor's primary residence for a specified period. Applies the dispute resolution requirement to judicial foreclosure actions filed prior to the effective date of this bill and pending an initial court hearing.

Testimony for February 14, 2013

HB 382, Relating to Mandatory Reporting.  Requires financial institutions to report suspected financial abuse of an elder to an appropriate police department and allows reporting to the Department of Human Services. Mandates information sharing with the police or prosecutor.

SB 470, Relating to Credit Cards.  Prohibits retailers from imposing credit card surcharges in certain instances.

Testimony for February 11 & 12, 2013

HB 3 - Relating to the Elderly:  Requires a financial institution to report suspected financial abuse against an elder to the appropriate county police department, rather than the department of human services, under certain conditions immediately by telephone and then followed by a written report sent via electronic mail. Repeals the department of human services as the contact agency responsible for determining whether the department has jurisdiction over the elder involved. Requires all financial institutions to develop and implement a training program for their employees regarding the reporting requirements for suspected financial abuse of an elderly.

HB 1417 - Relating to Mediation Affecting Judicial Foreclosure: Expands the application of mandatory mortgage foreclosure dispute resolution by requiring mortgagees, at the mortgagor's election, to participate in mediation to avoid foreclosure or mitigate damages from foreclosure prior to filing a judicial foreclosure action for property that has been the mortgagor's primary residence for a specified period. Applies the dispute resolution requirement to judicial foreclosure actions filed prior to the effective date of this bill and pending an initial court hearing.

Testimony for February 5 & 6, 2013

HB 634 - Relating to Labor.  Establishes job security requirements upon the divestiture of a covered establishment if the covered establishment employs 100 or more persons.

HB 21 - Relating to Condominiums.  Repeals the prioritization of liens for unpaid mortgages over subsequently recorded liens for unpaid condominium association fees. Clarifies the obligations of the acquirer of a foreclosed unit under the lien for unpaid association fees.

SB 875 - Relating to Workers' Compensation. Requires independent medical examinations and permanent impairment rating examinations for workers' compensation claims to be performed by physicians mutually agreed upon by employers and employees or appointed by the director of the department of labor and industrial relations. Allows for the use of an out-of-state physician under certain conditions. Appropriates unspecified funds. Effective 10/1/13. Section 3 effective 7/1/13. Repeals on 6/30/2018.

Testimony for February 5, 2013

HB 6 / HB 406 - Relating to Health.  Requires employers to provide a minimum amount of paid sick and safe leave to employees to be used to care for themselves or a family member who is ill, needs medical care, or is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

HB 173 - Relating to Debt Collection Practices.  Prohibits contacting a person at the workplace in debt collection practices.

SB 550 - Relating to Civil Relief for Military Component Personnel.  Prevents any court or mortgagee from commencing a proceeding to enforce a lien or foreclosure action against real property owned by a member of a reserve component of any branch of the United States Armed Forces or member of the state military forces until that member of a reserve component or member has returned to the State for a period of one year. 

SB 1263 - Relating to Labor.  Requires employers to provide meal breaks for employees who work more than a total of five hours a day. Imposes penalties on employers who fail to provide meal breaks. Clarifies that the employer's liability is based on an employee's regular wage at the time the infraction occurred.

SB 1370 - Relating to Mediation Affecting Judicial Foreclosure.  Expands the application of mandatory mortgage foreclosure dispute resolution by requiring mortgagees, at the mortgagor's election, to participate in mediation to avoid foreclosure or mitigate damages from foreclosure prior to filing a judicial foreclosure action for property that has been the mortgagor's primary residence for a specified period. Applies the dispute resolution requirement to judicial foreclosure actions filed prior to the effective date of this bill and pending an initial court hearing.