Adds BOCES to the list of entities that are authorized to establish a workers' compensation reserve fund.
Impact
By allowing BOCES to establish a workers' compensation reserve fund, the bill aims to enhance fiscal management among these educational entities. This change is particularly significant given that BOCES serves multiple school districts, often working in conjunction with them to provide various educational services. Having their dedicated reserve fund would allow BOCES to mitigate potential financial strains related to workers' compensation claims, which could assist in keeping educational funding stable and focused on student services rather than reimbursing claims.
Summary
Bill S09670 seeks to amend existing general municipal law to authorize Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) to establish a workers' compensation reserve fund. This proposal expands the existing provisions to include BOCES alongside other municipal entities such as school districts and fire districts that can set up a similar fund. The primary intent behind this bill is to provide BOCES with additional financial capabilities to manage workers' compensation obligations, ensuring they can cover employee-related injuries or illnesses efficiently.
Contention
Though the bill primarily presents a benefit to BOCES and aligns with existing policies for other municipal entities, it could raise concerns regarding funding allocations. Critics may argue that diverting resources to create and maintain a reserve fund for workers' compensation could inadvertently impact other vital educational programs. However, proponents likely emphasize the necessity for dedicated funds to ensure compliance with legal requirements for worker protection, highlighting that this legislative measure is a step forward in enhancing worker safety and institutional accountability.
Establishes a fraud assessment commission; directs the chair of the workers' compensation board, in consultation with the workers' compensation fraud inspector general and the fraud assessment commission, to establish an assessment for workers' compensation fraud investigations to fund the investigation and prosecution of workers' compensation fraud, willful failure to secure payment of workers' compensation, and failure to keep true and accurate records; establishes the workers' compensation fraud investigation fund in the joint custody of the chair of the workers' compensation board, the commissioner of labor, and the comptroller, which shall consist of monies received from the imposition of the assessment for workers' compensation fraud investigations.
Establishes a fraud assessment commission; directs the chair of the workers' compensation board, in consultation with the workers' compensation fraud inspector general and the fraud assessment commission, to establish an assessment for workers' compensation fraud investigations to fund the investigation and prosecution of workers' compensation fraud, willful failure to secure payment of workers' compensation, and failure to keep true and accurate records; establishes the workers' compensation fraud investigation fund in the joint custody of the chair of the workers' compensation board, the commissioner of labor, and the comptroller, which shall consist of monies received from the imposition of the assessment for workers' compensation fraud investigations.
Requires the workers' compensation board and the department of labor to publish lists of debarred entities as open data; directs the office of general services to maintain and publish such lists on their website.
Authorizes school districts to borrow against certain reserve funds, pursuant to a resolution adopted by the board of education of such school district.
Authorizes school districts to borrow against certain reserve funds, pursuant to a resolution adopted by the board of education of such school district.
Authorizes the village of Mayville to transfer the funds of the Mayville ambulance reserve fund and the Mayville fire and rescue equipment reserve fund to the newly formed North Lake Fire District reserve accounts.
Authorizes the village of Mayville to transfer the funds of the Mayville ambulance reserve fund and the Mayville fire and rescue equipment reserve fund to the newly formed North Lake Fire District reserve accounts.
Permits the establishment of reserve funds for unanticipated costs relating to special education, provided that the amount in such fund shall not exceed four percent of the district's current school year budget.
Relating to the authority of the Wood County Central Hospital District of Wood County, Texas, to provide brain and memory care services to residents of the hospital district through the creation and operation of brain and memory health care services districts.