Modifies provisions relating to the payment of workers' compensation upon the death of an employee to allow payments to be made to family members when there are no dependents

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Michael Burton

HB 2983 lets Missouri workers’ comp death benefits go to eligible family members even if the decedent had no dependents, with new eligibility rules and procedures.

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)

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Bill Summary: HB 2983 (2026) – Missouri

Purpose and intent

HB 2983 proposes to modify Missouri workers’ compensation law regarding death benefits when an employee dies and there are no legally defined dependents. The bill aims to ensure that payments previously unavailable due to the absence of dependents could instead be made to eligible family members, providing a mechanism to support those who were financially relying on the employee.

Key provisions and changes

Death benefit payments: The bill changes existing rules to allow workers’ compensation death benefits to be paid to family members even when the decedent had no dependents at the time of death.

Eligibility determination: The bill establishes criteria to determine which family members may be entitled to death benefits in the absence of dependents. This likely involves identifying next of kin or other legally recognized family categories, though specific definitions would be detailed in the statutory language.

Payment scope and amount: The bill delineates the scope (types of benefits) and potential amounts that could be paid to eligible family members, aligning with or modifying current benefit schedules for death-related compensation.

Procedural framework: The bill sets forth procedures for applying, reviewing, and processing death benefit claims when no dependents exist, including timelines, required documentation, and any prerequisites for entitlement.

Administrative authority: It may assign or authorize specific roles for the workers’ compensation agency or the division responsible for adjudicating death benefit claims, including potential appeals or reconsideration processes.

Who would be affected

Workers’ compensation claimants’ families: Families of workers who die without dependents could become eligible for death benefits that were previously unavailable under current law.

Employers and insurers: Entities financing workers’ compensation benefits could experience changes in the payout structure and administration of death benefits.

State workers’ compensation system: The agency overseeing claims would implement new eligibility rules, processes, and timelines for adjudicating these payments.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Legislative timeline:

Introduced and read for the first time on January 14, 2026.
Read a second time on January 15, 2026.
Referred to the Emerging Issues Committee (House) on May 15, 2026.

Effective date and implementation: The bill’s effective date would be specified in the enacted text, with potential upon passage or a future effective date to allow administrative implementation.

Rulemaking and guidance: The bill may require rulemaking, regulations, or guidance to implement the new eligibility criteria and procedures.

Notable considerations

The bill is sponsored with a co-sponsor (Michael Burton), indicating collaborative support.

As a modification to death benefits in the absence of dependents, considerations may include ensuring fairness among surviving relatives and maintaining fiscal sustainability for the workers’ compensation system.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize specific aspects (e.g., fiscal impact, comparative analysis with existing law, or potential administrative workload) or extract exact statutory language once available.