reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
AL Code § 25-5-253 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 25 - Industrial Relations and Labor.|Chapter 5 - Workers' Compensation.|Article 9 - Alabama Workmen's Compensation Self-Insurers Guaranty Association.|Section 25-5-253 - Bylaws.

Section 25-5-253Bylaws. (a) Within 120 days after their appointment, the board of directors shall propose to the Secretary of the Department of Labor a set of bylaws for the operation and administration of the association. The bylaws shall not be effective until approved by the Secretary of the Department of Labor. If the board of directors fails to submit bylaws or if the Secretary of the Department of Labor does not approve the submitted bylaws, then the Secretary of the Department of Labor may promulgate, subject to the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, appropriate rules and regulations for the administration of the association. (b) The bylaws may be amended from time to time by proposal of the board of directors approved by the Secretary of the Department of Labor. (c) The bylaws shall contain: (1) Provisions governing the administration of the association. (2) Provisions governing managing the assets of the association and its financial record keeping. (3) Procedures by which claims may be filed with the association. (4) Provisions for the times and places for call of and conduct of meetings of the board of directors. (5) Procedures for terminating the membership of a member who does not pay assessments when due. (6) Procedures for recommendations by members of candidates for the board of directors for submission to the Secretary of the Department of Labor. (7) Such additional provisions as are necessary or proper for carrying out the purposes of the association. (Acts 1989, No. 89-533, p. 1092, §4.)
AL Code § 25-5-254 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 25 - Industrial Relations and Labor.|Chapter 5 - Workers' Compensation.|Article 9 - Alabama Workmen's Compensation Self-Insurers Guaranty Association.|Section 25-5-254 - Annual Assessments for Administration of Association.

Section 25-5-254Annual assessments for administration of association. (a) To the extent necessary to secure funds for the payment of covered claims and costs of administration, the association may levy annual assessments on members of the association at a rate not to exceed $15.00 per $1,000.00 of security amount established by the department for the respective members. Assessments shall be remitted to and administered by the association as provided in the bylaws. The rate of annual assessments against members of the association may vary by duration of membership so that the cumulative contribution rate of recently admitted members becomes the same as previously admitted members. (b) If, at any time, the insolvency fund is not sufficient to make the payments or reimbursements then owing, the association may levy a special assessment on members of the association at a rate not to exceed $15.00 per $1,000.00 of security amount established by the department for each member, but such special assessment may not be levied more than once in each calendar year. (c) No state funds shall be allocated or paid to the association except those funds which may accrue to the association by or through assignments of rights of an insolvent employer. All moneys in the fund shall be held in trust and shall not be money or property of the state or the participants in the association. (Acts 1989, No. 89-533, p. 1092, §5.)
AL Code § 25-5-255 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 25 - Industrial Relations and Labor.|Chapter 5 - Workers' Compensation.|Article 9 - Alabama Workmen's Compensation Self-Insurers Guaranty Association.|Section 25-5-255 - Insolvency Fund.

Section 25-5-255Insolvency fund. Upon receipt of the funds assessed on members, the association may set aside funds for the administration of its affairs, and the balance of the funds shall be deposited to an insolvency fund under the following terms: (1) The fund is created for the purpose of assuring payment of workers' compensation claims against members of the association who become insolvent; but only those claims which accrue while the insolvent employer is a member of the association and accrue prior to the determination of insolvency or within 30 days thereafter. The obligation of the fund shall be limited to the obligation of the insolvent employer under the Workers' Compensation Act, in an amount not to exceed 150 percent of the amount of security as determined by the department as of the last annual financial review. The fund shall have all defenses of and shall be subrogated to all rights of the insolvent employer. The fund shall not be liable for any penalties or interest assessed against the employer. (2) It shall be the duty of the Department of Labor to determine insolvency of any self-insurer employers, and to notify the association of its determination. Members and directors of the association are specifically forbidden to be given information on the financial condition of any members except the fact of determination of insolvency. (3) The Secretary of the Department of Labor, or his representative, will at all reasonable times have full and free access to the books and records of the association and may audit the association's financial affairs as he deems necessary. Should the secretary deem the balance in the insolvency fund insufficient to meet projected liabilities, he shall inform the board of directors, and after consultation with them, he shall set the amount which he deems sufficient and the board of directors shall levy assessments as provided herein to secure that amount. (4) The association shall be subrogated to all rights of any claimant whose claim it pays and shall have a claim against the member employer for all such claims and expenses of administration. (5) If at any time the insolvency fund is insufficient to pay all claims then owing, the funds available shall be prorated and the unpaid portion shall be paid as soon thereafter as sufficient funds become available. (Acts 1989, No. 89-533, p. 1092, §6.)
AL Code § 25-5-256 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 25 - Industrial Relations and Labor.|Chapter 5 - Workers' Compensation.|Article 9 - Alabama Workmen's Compensation Self-Insurers Guaranty Association.|Section 25-5-256 - Association Subject to Examination and Regulation by Department of Labor.

Section 25-5-256Association subject to examination and regulation by Department of Labor. The association shall be subject to examination and regulation by the Department of Labor. No later than March 30 of each year, the board of directors shall submit a financial report for the preceding calendar year in a form approved by the department. (Acts 1989, No. 89-533, p. 1092, §7.)
AL Code § 25-5-257 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 25 - Industrial Relations and Labor.|Chapter 5 - Workers' Compensation.|Article 9 - Alabama Workmen's Compensation Self-Insurers Guaranty Association.|Section 25-5-257 - Assessments Deductible as Business Expenses.

Section 25-5-257Assessments deductible as business expenses. A member may deduct as a business expense for state income tax purposes any assessment levied under Section 25-5-254 in the year such assessments are paid. (Acts 1989, No. 89-533, p. 1092, §8.)
AL Code § 25-5-270 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 25 - Industrial Relations and Labor.|Chapter 5 - Workers' Compensation.|Article 10 - Insurance With Optional Deductibles.|Section 25-5-270 - Certain Employers Authorized to Purchase Insurance With Optional Deductibles.

Section 25-5-270Certain employers authorized to purchase insurance with optional deductibles. (a) Each insurer issuing a policy under this article shall offer, as a part of the policy or as an optional endorsement to the policy, deductibles optional to the policyholder for benefits payable under this article. Deductible amounts offered shall be fully disclosed to the prospective policyholder in writing in the amount of $100.00, $200.00, $300.00, $400.00, $500.00, or increments of $500.00 up to a maximum of $2,500.00 per compensable claim. The policyholder exercising the deductible option shall choose only one deductible amount. (b) If the policyholder exercises the option and chooses a deductible, the insured employer shall be liable for the amount of the deductible for benefits paid for each compensable claim of work injury suffered by an employee. The insurer shall pay all or part of the deductible amount, whichever is applicable to a compensable claim, to the person or medical provider entitled to the benefits conferred by this article and then seek reimbursement from the insured employer for the applicable deductible amount. The payment or nonpayment of deductible amounts by the insured employer to the insurer shall be treated under the policy insuring the liability for workers' compensation in the same manner as payment or nonpayment of premiums. (Acts 1991, No. 91-472, p. 856, §1.)
AL Code § 25-5-271 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 25 - Industrial Relations and Labor.|Chapter 5 - Workers' Compensation.|Article 10 - Insurance With Optional Deductibles.|Section 25-5-271 - Optional Deductibles to Be Offered in Policy; Exception.

Section 25-5-271Optional deductibles to be offered in policy; exception. Optional deductibles shall be offered in each policy insuring liability for workers' compensation that is issued, delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed under this article on or after July 29, 1991, unless an insured employer and insurer agree to renegotiate a workers' compensation policy in effect on July 29, 1991, so as to include a provision allowing for a deductible. (Acts 1991, No. 91-472, p. 856, §2.)
AL Code § 25-5-272 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 25 - Industrial Relations and Labor.|Chapter 5 - Workers' Compensation.|Article 10 - Insurance With Optional Deductibles.|Section 25-5-272 - Premium Reduction to Be Determined Before Application of Experience Modification, Premium Surcharge, Etc.

Section 25-5-272Premium reduction to be determined before application of experience modification, premium surcharge, etc. Premium reduction for deductibles shall be determined before the application of any experience modification, premium surcharge, or premium discounts. To the extent that an employer's experience rating or safety record is based on benefits paid, money paid by the insured employer under a deductible as provided in this article shall not be included as benefits paid so as to harm the experience rating of such employer. (Acts 1991, No. 91-472, p. 856, §3.)
AL Code § 25-5-273 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 25 - Industrial Relations and Labor.|Chapter 5 - Workers' Compensation.|Article 10 - Insurance With Optional Deductibles.|Section 25-5-273 - Applicability.

Section 25-5-273Applicability. This article shall not apply to employers who are approved to self-insure against liability for workers' compensation or group self-insurance funds for workers' compensation established pursuant to this chapter. (Acts 1991, No. 91-472, p. 856, §4.)
AL Code § 25-5-291 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 25 - Industrial Relations and Labor.|Chapter 5 - Workers' Compensation.|Article 11 - Ombudsman Program.|Section 25-5-291 - Benefit Review Conferences.

Section 25-5-291Benefit review conferences. A benefit review conference is a nonadversarial, informal dispute resolution proceeding designed to: (1) Explain, orally and in writing, the rights of the respective parties to a workers' compensation claim and the procedures necessary to protect those rights. (2) Discuss the facts of the claim, review available information in order to evaluate the claim, and delineate the disputed issues. (3) Mediate and resolve disputed issues by mutual agreement of the parties in accordance with this article and the policies of the department. (Acts 1992, No. 92-537, p. 1082, §38.)
AL Code § 25-5-292 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 25 - Industrial Relations and Labor.|Chapter 5 - Workers' Compensation.|Article 11 - Ombudsman Program.|Section 25-5-292 - Resolution of Disputes, Settlement Agreements; Written Reports; Interlocutory Orders; Final Determinations of Liability.

Section 25-5-292Resolution of disputes, settlement agreements; written reports; interlocutory orders; final determinations of liability. (a) A dispute may be resolved either in whole or in part at the benefit review conference. If the conference results in the resolution of some of the disputed issues by mutual agreement or in a settlement, the ombudsman shall reduce the agreement or the settlement to writing. The ombudsman and each party or the designated representative of the party shall sign the agreement or settlement. A settlement reached hereunder shall, unless otherwise provided herein, be effective on the date the settlement is signed unless one of the parties submits the settlement to the court for approval as provided in this article. (b) An agreement signed pursuant to this section shall be binding on all parties through the final conclusion of all matters relating to the claim, unless within 60 days after the agreement is signed or approved the court on a finding of fraud, newly discovered evidence, or other good cause, shall relieve all parties of the effect of the agreement. (c) If the dispute is entirely resolved at the benefit review conference, the ombudsman shall prepare a written report, which shall not be admissible into evidence in any court, that includes: (1) A statement of each resolved issue. (2) The ombudsman's recommendations regarding the payment or denial of benefits. (3) No permission of the court is required by an attorney to represent any party before an ombudsman. (d) If there is a dispute as to which of two or more insurance carriers is liable for compensation for one or more compensable injuries, the ombudsman may issue an interlocutory order directing each insurance carrier to pay a proportionate share of benefits due pending a final decision on liability. The proportionate share shall be determined by dividing the compensation due by the number of insurance carriers involved. (e) On final determination of liability, any insurance carrier that has been determined not to be liable for the payment of benefits is entitled to reimbursement from the share paid by the insurance carrier that has been determined to be liable. (f) The ombudsman shall file the signed agreement and the report with the Department of Industrial Relations. (Acts 1992, No. 92-537, p. 1082, §39.)
AL Code § 25-5-310 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 25 - Industrial Relations and Labor.|Chapter 5 - Workers' Compensation.|Article 12 - Workers' Compensation Medical Services Board.|Section 25-5-310 - Definitions.

Section 25-5-310Definitions. For the purposes of this article the following words and phrases have the following meanings: (1) BOARD. The Workers' Compensation Medical Services Board. (2) MEDICAL or MEDICAL SERVICES. Any and all medical or surgical services provided by physicians under this new article. (3) PHYSICIAN. A doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathy licensed to practice medicine. (Acts 1992, No. 92-537, p. 1082, §42.)
AL Code § 25-5-311 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 25 - Industrial Relations and Labor.|Chapter 5 - Workers' Compensation.|Article 12 - Workers' Compensation Medical Services Board.|Section 25-5-311 - Workers' Compensation Medical Services Board; Creation, Members, Functions.

Section 25-5-311Workers' Compensation Medical Services Board; creation, members, functions. There is established a Workers' Compensation Medical Services Board composed of five physicians licensed to practice medicine in the State of Alabama who shall be appointed by the Secretary of the Department of Labor. The initial board shall be selected from a list of 15 physicians who are members of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama, submitted by the association. Members of the board shall serve terms of five years. In order that the appointments be staggered, one member shall serve an initial term of six years, one member shall serve an initial term of two years, one member shall serve an initial term of three years, one member shall serve an initial term of four years, and the remaining member shall serve an initial term of five years. Thereafter, successors shall be appointed by the secretary from among a list of three nominees submitted by the Medical Association of the State of Alabama to serve full five-year terms. A member of the board shall continue to serve beyond the expiration of his or her term of office until his or her successor is legally appointed. Members of the Workers' Compensation Medical Services Board shall be eligible to serve two five-year terms of office in addition to an initial or unexpired term of less than three years, but shall not serve thereafter. Members of the board shall be entitled to receive per diem at the rate of $100.00 for each day or portion thereof spent in the performance of the duties of their office, and in addition, shall be reimbursed for expenses of travel in the same manner as employees of the State of Alabama. The Workers' Compensation Medical Services Board shall function as a part of the Department of Labor and shall have the authority, duties, and responsibilities as prescribed in this article. The board may meet quarterly at a time and place designated by the chair, and may meet more frequently at the call of the chair. The board shall elect one of its members as chair who shall serve a term of one year. The board may adopt rules governing its own proceedings. The department shall provide the board with necessary meeting and office space, secretarial and clerical support, reimbursement for travel expenses and per diem as specified in this article. Upon approval of the secretary, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, additional funding as required by the board for the employment of consultants, attorneys, and other professional staff necessary to accomplish the purposes and objectives stated in this article may be provided. (Acts 1992, No. 92-537, p. 1082, §43.)
AL Code § 25-5-312 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 25 - Industrial Relations and Labor.|Chapter 5 - Workers' Compensation.|Article 12 - Workers' Compensation Medical Services Board.|Section 25-5-312 - Powers and Duties of the Board.

Section 25-5-312Powers and duties of the board. The board shall exercise general supervision in all matters related to the provision of medical services provided by physicians, as defined in Section 25-5-310, rendered to workers under this article. The duties of the board shall include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) Study, develop, and implement any necessary and reasonable guidelines for medical services and physician care provided by physicians. In addition, with respect to services provided by physicians, the board shall study, develop, and recommend to the secretary uniform medical criteria and policies for the conduct of utilization review, bill screenings, and medical necessity determinations for use by insurance carriers, self-insurers, and claims administrators. (2) Study, design, and implement standardized uniform claims processing forms and forms for the reporting of medical information to employers and insurance companies by physicians. (3) Address and give consideration to those matters referred to it by the secretary. (4) The board shall contract with physicians, health care providers, professional associations of physicians, and health-related organizations to provide the board with consultation, and research and development expertise in discharging its duties and responsibilities under this article. Any contract entered into by the board shall be approved by the secretary and submitted as are other state contracts. (5) The board may establish, by regulations promulgated by the department, regional committees of physicians appointed by the board to perform any duties and responsibilities specified by the board in programs established for the delivery of medical services under this article. In addition the board shall appoint board certified physicians in any of the medical or surgical specialties to act as independent expert medical consultants to the ombudsman in connection with the resolution of disputes involving physicians providing medical services to injured workers. Members of the regional committees shall be physicians and shall serve at the pleasure of the board. Physicians serving as members of the regional committees as constituted under this section or independent expert medical consultants to the ombudsman shall be granted the same immunities as provided members of the board under this article and existing state law. (6) Implementation of this section shall be governed by and subject to the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act. Rules and regulations relating to the duties and authority of the board, enumerated herein, may be promulgated only with the consent of both the secretary and the board. (Acts 1992, No. 92-537, p. 1082, §44.)
AL Code § 25-5-314 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 25 - Industrial Relations and Labor.|Chapter 5 - Workers' Compensation.|Article 12 - Workers' Compensation Medical Services Board.|Section 25-5-314 - Contracts for Medical Services at Mutually Agreed Rates.

Section 25-5-314Contracts for medical services at mutually agreed rates. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this article to the contrary, any employer, workers' compensation insurance carrier, self-insured employer, or group fund, may contract with physicians, hospitals, and any other health care provider for the provision of medical services to injured workers at any rates, fees, or levels of reimbursement which shall be mutually agreed upon between the physician, hospitals, and any other health care provider and the employer, workers' compensation insurance carrier, self-insured employer, or group fund. (Acts 1992, No. 92-537, p. 1082, §46.)
AL Code § 25-5-315 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 25 - Industrial Relations and Labor.|Chapter 5 - Workers' Compensation.|Article 12 - Workers' Compensation Medical Services Board.|Section 25-5-315 - Immunity From Liability.

Section 25-5-315Immunity from liability. The Workers' Compensation Medical Services Board, the individual members thereof, the agents, servants, employees, consultants, or attorneys of the board, and any person, firm, or corporation contracting with the board for the specific purpose of implementing the duties, obligations, and responsibilities of the board under this article, shall each be immune from civil liability against the claims of any and all individuals, firms, corporations, institutions, or other entities for any claims of any nature whatsoever arising out of or related to the decisions, opinions, deliberations, reports, or publications which are made, rendered, or entered by the board, the individual members of the board, or the agents, servants, employees, consultants, or attorneys of the board or any person, firm, or corporation contracting with the board which decisions, opinions, deliberations, reports, or publications were made in good faith, without malice, and predicated upon information which was then available to the board. (Acts 1992, No. 92-537, p. 1082, §47.)