Requires mutually agreed upon physicians to determine permanent impairment when employers request an examination, or if no agreement, by a physician appointed by the department of labor and industrial relations.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. Chapter 386, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§386-   Medical examination by employer's physician for determination of permanent impairment. When an employer requests an examination for a determination of permanent impairment pursuant to industry accepted guidelines, the examination shall be conducted by a physician who has been mutually agreed upon by the employer and the employee. If the parties are not able to mutually agree upon a physician, the director shall appoint an impairment physician from a list of duly qualified physicians. The director shall compile and maintain a list of impairment physicians and shall appoint physicians to conduct examinations in the order that they appear on the list. The cost of any employer requested examinations shall be borne by the employer."

SECTION 2. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.