MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Insurance

By: Representative Formby

AN ACT TO DISQUALIFY CERTAIN INCARCERATED WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIMANTS FROM ENTITLEMENT TO BENEFITS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter to the contrary, an injured worker is not eligible to receive workers' compensation benefits or medical expenses for periods of time during which the worker is incarcerated for the commission of a crime unless the injured worker had been "found" to have a permanent and total loss of wage-earning capacity which was attributable to the work-related injury.

(2) As used in this section, an individual is not "incarcerated" if the individual is on parole or work release status.

(3) If upon appeal such conviction is overturned, the benefits suspended during the period of incarceration shall be reinstated.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2000.