H. B. 2466

          (By Delegate Hunt)(By Request)          
          [Introduced February 14, 2013; referred to the
          Committee on the Judiciary then Finance.]



A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §23-5-10a, relating to workers' compensation; appeal and review process; and requiring that medical treatment and medications be continued throughout the appeal process.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
     That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §23-5-10a, to read as follows:
ARTICLE 5. REVIEW.
§23-5-10a. Medical treatment and medications to continue during all stages of appeal or protest.
_____Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, medical treatment and prescription medications shall continue to be provided to a claimant during all stages of any protest or appeal under the provisions of this article and chapter and regardless of the outcome of the protest or appeal.

     NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to require that medical treatment and prescription medications be continued throughout the appeal process in Workers' Compensation claims.


     §23-5-10a is new; therefore, it has been completely underscored.