National – Sedgwick’s recently published Workforce Absence and Disability Trends Report provides an analysis of key patterns from 2025 and predictions for 2026, drawing on insights from the company’s workforce absence experts. The report highlights rising mental health related absences, increasing demand for flexible and holistic employee benefits across generations, growing employer reliance on AI in benefits and leave management, and shifting approaches to return to work in a more flexible workplace environment. Check out this WorkCompWire article to learn more.
The Workplace Overdose Reversal Kits (WORK) to Save Lives Act (S 2948 / HR 5420), introduced by Senators Jeff Merkley (D‑OR) and Lisa Murkowski (R‑AK) and Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman (D‑NJ) and John Rutherford (R‑FL), would require OSHA to guide employers on integrating overdose response and naloxone access into their emergency preparedness plans. The National Safety Council (NSC) applauded the legislation, noting it will help get life‑saving naloxone into more workplaces as overdose deaths continue to rise; more than 80,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2024, with fatalities now accounting for 10% of all workplace deaths.
Health E systems released its Annual Workers’ Comp Industry Insights Survey Report, highlighting a stronger focus on injured worker engagement, ongoing uncertainty around AI, and broad support for tools aiding claims staff. Top findings show improving the injured worker experience is the leading medical program priority, litigation remains the industry’s biggest challenge, noncompliance is the primary recovery barrier, and AI is used most often to identify fraud, waste, and abuse.
Arizona – With two more weeks of Committee hearings two bills made the upcoming agenda:
- HB 2725 failed to pass in the House. As a reminder, HB 2725 is a bipartisan bill which aims to prevent contractors from substituting nonopioid prescriptions or imposing stricter requirements on them than on opioids. The bill aims to ensure nonopioid medications used for acute or chronic pain cannot be replaced with therapeutic alternatives and cannot face tougher controls, such as prior authorization or step therapy. The measure is intended to reduce barriers to safer pain management options and limit reliance on opioids. An effective date is not specified.
- HB 2813 is scheduled to be heard before the Health and Human Services Committee on February 16th. As a reminder, HB 2813 would allow employers or insurers to use these networks to provide medications to injured workers and sets standards for reimbursement and required employee notifications. It also excludes informal networks from regulation and outlines key responsibilities for formal networks, including commission registration, open participation for licensed pharmacies, and prohibiting certain fees.
Florida – SB 1380 was heard before the Banking and Insurance Committee this week and was temporarily postponed. The bill would make employers who hire unauthorized workers personally and fully liable for all medical and treatment costs if those workers are injured on the job and prohibits shifting these costs to insurers or any third party.
Georgia – HB 1119 was withdrawn and recommitted to Industry and Labor Committee. As a reminder, this bill proposes amendments to Georgia’s workers’ compensation laws to regulate pharmacy care and establish pharmacy management networks for injured employees.
Maryland – SB 522 is currently before the Senate Finance Committee. If passed, the bill would authorize licensed certified social workers–clinical to evaluate permanent impairments related to behavioral or mental disorders for workers’ compensation claims.
New Jersey – S 1379 passed the Senate late last week and was sent to the House. S 1379 if passed, would provide workers’ compensation coverage for firefighters, police officers, and emergency responders who developed illnesses or injuries linked to their service following the September 11, 2001, attacks. The bill establishes a presumption that conditions such as cancer and other ailments associated with exposure to carcinogens or radiation during the response are work-related. Eligibility requires participation in the World Trade Center Health Program.
Texas – Amanda Crawford was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott in January 2026 to serve as the next commissioner of insurance for the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI). The agency announced her selection and confirmed she would step into the role on February 3, following the retirement of Cassie Brown on February 2 after four years of leadership.
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