National – National Compensation of State Legislatures (NCSL) announced their Legislative Summit in Chicago July 27-29th. Registration will open April 1 with early bird prices.
Florida – The First District Court of Appeal, State Of Florida, ruled on February 25, 2026, that the Department of Financial Services’ proposed rules treating physician dispensing practitioners the same as pharmacies or pharmacists exceeded the agency’s delegated legislative authority. The court held that Florida’s workers’ compensation statute provides injured workers with a “free, full, and absolute choice” only in selecting a pharmacy or pharmacist, and that dispensing practitioners are not included in that statutory language. As a result, the court set aside the final order upholding the proposed rules.
Hawaii – SB 2751 and companion bill HB 2164 both advanced this week. SB 2751 was scheduled for public decision making on March 3 before the Judiciary Committee; however, the Chair opted to postpone action, noting that the House version is advancing and the committee will wait for it to arrive. As a reminder, SB 2751 establishes standards for the regulation and reimbursement of prescription drugs for injured workers within Hawaii’s workers’ compensation system. It limits physicians to dispensing prescription medications only during the first 30 days following an industrial injury, after which prescriptions must be filled through the employer’s pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) network. The House companion measure, HB 2164, passed the CPC Committee unamended on March 4 with 10 yes votes.
Kentucky – The Kentucky Senate introduced SB 343, a measure that would relocate the Department of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) to the Governor’s Office. The bill would shift the agency out of the Education and Labor Cabinet, a change that could provide the Governor with more direct oversight and administrative control over the department.
Virginia – SB 771 passed the House of Delegates earlier this week and will now be sent to the Governor, who can sign it, veto it, or allow it to become law without a signature. The bill would increase burial expense coverage from $10,000 to $15,000 and would allow the amount to be adjusted annually based on the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index.
Washington – SB 5847 is currently scheduled for consideration in the House Committee on Appropriations. As a reminder, SB 5847 outlines changes to Washington State’s workers’ compensation system related to medical provider networks, treatment guidelines, and oversight processes. The bill includes provisions regarding the choice of worker medical provider and establishes standards for monitoring and administering medical care for injured workers.
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