An Act relating to workers' compensation benefits for injuries resulting from consumption of alcohol or use of drugs; and providing for an effective date.

House Bill 422 would strengthen workers' compensation laws concerning an employee's use of alcohol or drugs that might lead to an on-the-job accident.

Many Alaskan employers have adopted written policies concerning use of drugs and/or alcohol on the job or being under the influence of such items while at a job site. The State should support those employers who have a zero tolerance policy. Workers' compensation is a system to compensate workers for injuries sustained on the job; however, if that injury is caused by a violation of a state or federal law or employment policy concerning consumption or influence of drugs or alcohol, the employer should not bear the full brunt of the cost of the accident.

While Alaska law does currently cover intoxication and a person being under the influence of drugs, HB 422 would strengthen these sections of current law. It would be made clear that no compensation would be payable in incidents in which an injury was proximately caused by the consumption of an alcoholic beverage or employee's use of drugs. It should be noted that drugs prescribed by a physician would not cause worker's compensation to be loss.

HB 422 would only apply to injuries occurring on or after the effective date of the bill, which is July 1, 2000.

Sectional Analysis for HB 422