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Senate advances S173 to streamline vocational rehabilitation referrals for injured workers
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Summary
S173 would remove an initial screening step so workers out of work 90 days or more can be referred directly to certified vocational-rehabilitation counselors, create a working group with a report due in mid-2026, and make related changes to workers’ compensation forms; the Senate ordered third reading after the committee report.
The Senate received a committee report on S173 and ordered the bill to third reading. The bill focuses on vocational rehabilitation in the workers’ compensation system: it eliminates an initial screening step performed by non-specialists so injured workers out of work for more than 90 days may be referred directly to certified vocational rehabilitation counselors; it amends Department of Labor forms to inform workers of their right to request services and allows injured workers to initiate rehabilitation if the employer fails to do so.
The bill also creates a working group composed of the director of Workers’ Compensation and named stakeholder representatives to produce recommendations on improving the system. The working group’s first meeting must be held by 08/14/2026 and the report is to be submitted by 07/15/2026, after which the group will cease to exist. The committee said witnesses included Department of Labor and Labor Relations Board officials, certified vocational counselors, and representatives of claimant and carrier interests; the committee vote was 5–0 and the Senate ordered third reading.
Sponsor and committee materials stressed that the 90-day milestone triggers screening for vocational services and that removing the preliminary screening will reduce an unnecessary burden on injured workers seeking vocational rehabilitation. The transcript does not record final floor passage in the excerpts provided.
