Sec. 1. 39-A MRSA §217, sub-§6, as enacted by PL 1991, c. 885, Pt. A, §8 and affected by §§9 to 11, is amended to read:

6. Loss of or reduction in benefits. If an employee unjustifiably refuses to accept rehabilitation pursuant to an order of the board, the board shall order a loss or reduction of compensation in an amount determined by the board for each week of the period of refusal, except for specific compensation payable under section 212, subsection 3. If an employee continues to accept rehabilitation under this Act, the employee is presumptively entitled to receive benefits for disability under section 212 and may not be considered in any way to have left the workplace.

SUMMARY

This bill clarifies that under Maine's Workers' Compensation Law an injured worker who is in rehabilitation under the provisions of the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 39-A is entitled to the continuation of benefits for total disability for as long as that employee continues in that rehabilitation program.