House committee advances bill to raise workers' comp burial benefit after amendment fights

The House Labor & Industry Committee on Wednesday reported House Bill 2049 as committed after debate and two failed amendments. The bill would amend the Workers' Compensation Act to raise the maximum burial benefit an employer or insurer must pay an undertaker from $7,000 to $20,000 and originally included an annual cost-of-living adjustment.

Representative Brennan, the bill's prime sponsor, told the committee the change is intended to "provide a little better quality of justice to the families of workers who are killed in the line of work." She cited department figures and county data, saying funeral costs in parts of the state can exceed $20,000 and that the statewide average her office reviewed is about $19,000.

Chairman James offered Amendment 02847 to set the maximum benefit at $10,000 and remove the annual adjustment, arguing national averages and inflation calculations put typical funeral costs closer to $8,500–$9,500. "My proposition is that we exercise our appropriate responsibilities ... and increase the amount to $10,000," he said. The committee rejected that amendment on a roll-call vote.

Representative Rossi offered Amendment 02868 to require undertakers to refund any benefit money received in excess of the actual burial cost to surviving spouses or dependents and to provide an itemized invoice. Rossi said insurance carriers often send the full maximum payment to funeral homes, which can create a windfall if families declined services. Members expressed support for accountability but said the amendment's language needed further work; the amendment was also defeated.

After debate the committee voted to report HB 2049 as committed. The Clerk announced, "The bill passes as committed," and the committee recorded the favorable report. No changes made on the floor were recorded in committee.

The bill will proceed as a committee report to the next legislative stage.