MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Insurance; Judiciary

By: Senator(s) Hewes

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 71-3-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO MORE ACCURATELY DEFINE THE PURPOSE OF THE MISSISSIPPI WORKERS' COMPENSATION LAW TO CORRECT THE MISCONCEPTION THAT THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION LAW SHOULD BE LIBERALLY CONSTRUED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 71-3-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

71-3-1. This chapter shall be known and cited as "Workers' Compensation Law," and shall be administered by the Workers' Compensation Commission, hereinafter referred to as the "commission," cooperating with other state and federal authorities for the prevention of injuries and occupational diseases to workers and, in event of injury or occupational disease, their rehabilitation or restoration to health and vocational opportunity; and this chapter shall be fairly and impartially construed and applied according to the law and the evidence in the record, and this chapter shall not be presumed to favor one party over the other.

Wherever used in this chapter, or in any other statute or rule or regulation affecting the former Workmen's Compensation Law and any of its functions or duties:

(a) * * * "Workmen's compensation" * * * means "workers' compensation"; and

(b) * * * "Commission" * * * means the Workers' Compensation Commission.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.