Kansas
Kansas raising death benefits for families of killed workers in ‘truly necessary’ overhaul • Kansas Reflector
TOPEKA — The state is set to bolster benefits for families of workers who have been killed and for workers who have been permanently disabled, marking change for the first time in more than a decade.
Kansas workers will see the effects of the change in little more than a month, following the passage of legislation overhauling what have been some of the lowest workers’ compensation rates in the country.
Senate Bill 430, a bipartisan law formed after vigorous negotiations with business and labor groups, will go into effect July 1. Lawmakers sent the bill to the governor in March, and she signed it April 11. Gov. Laura Kelly held a second ceremonial signing Wednesday to reiterate the law’s importance, surrounded by lawmakers, labor groups and members of the National Guard.
Kelly estimated the last meaningful updates to workers’ comp happened 13 years ago, and it took 24 years of work before that to achieve change.
“I remind you of this so we all truly appreciate how big a deal this really is,” Kelly said.
A family of a worker killed on the job will receive up to $500,000 in death compensation benefits, up from the previous cap of $300,000. For a worker with an injury resulting in a permanent and total disability, benefits will be capped at $400,000, up from $155,000. Compensation benefits for a temporary total disability will go from the previous cap of $130,000 to $225,000. The benefits will also undergo cost-of-living adjustments starting in 2027.
“The bill’s language is the result of countless hours of effort by representatives of injured workers, industry, and the state to craft much-needed and meaningful updates to the Kansas Workers Compensation Act,” said Anton Andersen, a defense attorney and director for the Kansas Self Insurer’s Association.
Other changes include extending workers’ compensation coverage to those in the Kansas National Guard and decreasing the Social Security retirement offset for certain disability benefits.
“This legislation is a significant step in achieving a balance between the needs of workers and the realities of the business world,” said Kansas Department of Labor Secretary Amber Shultz. “We are proud to play a part in the creation of a more fair and equitable system.”
SB 430 also allows for the settlement of workers’ compensation cases without a formal court hearing and limits use of independent medical examinations, among other provisions.
“It has been way too long since we have revised our worker compensation laws,” Kelly said in an interview after the signing. “This was absolutely necessary. We were one of the states with the lowest workers’ compensation of any state in the country.”
Kansas
How To Watch Kansas State-Kansas, Lineups, Preview, Stats To Watch
Game time: Jan. 18, 1:00 p.m. EST
Where: Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence, KS
TV: CBS Sports (watch here)
VITALS: Kansas State lost its fourth straight after dropping to Texas Tech Tuesday night. They shot well from 3-point range but were once again dominated in the paint, getting outscored 40 to 18 in that area. Meanwhile, Kansas is coming off a blowout loss to Iowa State. Still, they boast one of the best defenses in the country, allowing just 62.8 points.
PROJECTED STARTERS
WILDCATS
G Brendan Hausen: 12.3 PTS, 2.3 REB, 1.2 AST
G Dug McDaniel: 9.3 PTS, 2.6 REB, 4.1 AST
G Max Jones: 9.0 PTS, 3.8 REB, 2.1 AST
F David N’Guessan: 12.6 PTS, 7.4 REB, 1.8 AST
F Coleman Hawkins: 10.6 PTS, 6.9 REB, 3.9 AST
JAYHAWKS
G Zeke Mayo: 14.4 PTS, 4.1 REB, 3.0 AST
G Dajuan Harris Jr.: 9.8 PTS, 2.6 REB, 5.4 AST
G Shakeel Moore: 3.9 PTS, 1.8 REB, 1.4 AST
F Flory Bidunga: 6.2 PTS, 5.0 REB, 1.4 BLK
F Hunter Dickinson: 15.2 PTS, 10.4 REB, 1.6 BLK
QUOTABLE: “We have to just get better,” K-State coach Jerome Tang said after the Texas Tech loss. “It’s not like something’s so broken and we need to get rid of it. We’re constantly tinkering to get it just a little bit better. I was pleased with some of the things that I saw tonight.”
Jayden Armant is a graduate of the Howard University School of Communications and a contributor to Kansas State Wildcats on SI. He can be reached at jaydenshome14@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.
Kansas
Good group of recruits expected for first junior day
The Kansas coaching staff is assembling a strong junior day group of visitors for Saturday. It starts with committed players like James Dunnigan Jr., Jaylen Mason and Hunter Higgins. Three of the top local players in the state will be there and will help recruit.
The junior day gives several players a chance to be around the staff again for those who have made several visits to KU.
Ottawa wide receiver Nate Sims has been on campus several times and attended two games at Arrowhead last season.
“I love to get on campus and talk with the coaches and build strong connections,” Sims said. “The more I visit the better I get to know the coaches and build a good relationship with them.”
Sims said he was looking forward to watching the basketball game against Kansas State and talk with the other recruits.
Kaden Snyder is in the same position as Sims. Both are local recruits who have been on multiple visits and games to Kansas. This will be Snyder’s seventh trip for an unofficial visit.
“I know the coaches pretty well I’ve been around a lot,” Snyder said. “They are great and they care a lot about the program and the players in it. I am not looking for anything specific just talk more and more.”
Snyder said he has been planning to attend the junior day along with his friend Ian Premer. He said the two talked about going to the event together. Premer, from Great Bend, is one of the top tight end prospects in the country and rated the top recruit in Kansas.
There are going to be players from outside the area as well. Owen Linder, an offensive lineman from Minnesota will be making a return visit to the area. He camped at KU last summer and attended a game last season.
“I love getting the chance to back to KU whenever I can,” Linder said. “Going on these visits now, I know the most important thing for me and my family is getting to know the staff and coaches better and these visits help with doing this.”
He said it gives him and his family a chance to ask questions and get to know the staff. It also helps build a relationship with Daryl Agpalsa, the Jayhawks offensive line coach.
“It’s been great getting to know Coach A,” Linder said. “He’s just a great guy that always makes me laugh. Also has given me great advice when I needed it since I’ve know him. It’s been a privilege to get to know him for sure.”
There is an impressive group of visitors expected to visit on Saturday. The confirmed list of players has reached into the double-digits. To see the latest updated list, visit our Junior Day Recruiting Thread.
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