A series of bills were introduced in the Kansas House of Representatives proposing amendments to workers’ compensation standards.

HB 2016 seeks to replace the workers’ compensation prevailing factor standard with a substantial factor standard. The bill would eliminate the rule that “an injury is not compensable solely because it aggravates, accelerates or exacerbates a preexisting condition or renders a preexisting condition symptomatic.”

HB 2041 seeks to provide that workers’ compensation benefits for workers who are receiving Social Security or retirement benefits at the time of an accident are not reduced due to the receipt of the Social Security or retirement benefits.

HB 2017 would amend the disallowance of workers’ compensation benefits for fighting or horseplay if not work-related, clarifying the language on the legal definition of horseplay.

Rep. John Carmichael, D-Wichita, introduced the three bills Tuesday. They were referred to the House Committee on Commerce, Labor and Economic Development, where they are currently pending.

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