Idaho Industrial Commission Implementation of HB 590

(BOISE) – Wednesday, the Idaho Industrial Commission, announced changes to the Judicial Rules of Practice and Procedure (JRP) necessary to implement the provisions of HB 590, signed by Governor Little on March 23, 2022.  HB 590 amends the provisions of I.C. 72-404, and authorizes the settlement of Workers’ Compensation claims on the agreement of the parties alone.  Effective July 1, 2022, most settlements will not require Commission approval.  Settlements involving unrepresented parties, minors or legally incompetent persons will continue to require Commission approval.

“We have been planning for the implementation of the new law since late March,” said Industrial Commission Chairman Aaron White.  “Our goal is to make the transition between the existing and new settlement processes as seamless as possible.”

The provisions of the amended JRP 18 were adopted by the Commission on June 15, 2022, following an extensive vetting process with Commission stakeholders and members of the Workers’ Compensation community.  The new rule is available for review on the Commission website, https://iic.idaho.gov.

As amended, I.C. 72-404 significantly modifies the current settlement process.  The Commission asks for parties to be patient during the transition between the existing and new statutes.

Questions regarding the new rule may be directed to Kamerron Slay at (208) 334-6017 or at Commissionsecretary@iic.idaho.gov.