The Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation will hold a hearing May 17, if requested, on proposed rules that will make it easier for penalized employers to renegotiate monthly payment plans.

Under current rules, if an employer is cited for a violation of the state's workers’ compensation statutes, such as for failing to obtain adequate coverage for workers, the employer must make six months of penalty payments before it can renegotiate the terms.

The proposed rules would allow an employer to renegotiate after only three months of payments. If a stop-work order has been issued, the three payments must come after the order is lifted, the proposed rules read. If the company writes a bad check, the three payments must come after the actual payment is made.

The rules also would let the division rescind a stop-work order three times, instead of the current two times, giving regulators more flexibility in gaining employer compliance.

For more information on requesting a hearing or other details, interested parties can contact Pam Macon, chief, Bureau of Compliance, Division of Workers' Compensation, at 850-413-1708 or Pamela.Macon@myfloridacfo.com.