129th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 1204		LR 2055(01)
	An Act To Eliminate the Cap on Weekly Benefits in Workers' Compensation Cases
	Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement for Original Bill
	Sponsor: Rep. Sylvester of Portland
	Committee: Labor and Housing
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement
Current biennium cost increase - All Funds Current biennium cost increase - local units of government
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	Eliminating the cap on the weekly benefit payable under the laws governing workers' compensation will increase the cost of workers' compensation in the State.  An analysis performed by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) Inc. estimates the increase in costs on a prospective basis to be between 2.0% and 3.0%, or between $5.0 million and $7.0 million, respectively, not including those employers that self-insure.  If employers that self-insure are included, NCCI estimates the overall impact to the workers' compensation system prospectively to be between $7.0 million and $10.0 million.  If applied retroactively to claims occurring before the effective date of this legislation, the cost will be significantly higher.
	The fiscal impact on the State as a direct reimbursement employer and to local units of government can not be determined at this time and will depend on actual experience.