AG Drew Edmondson: New workersâ€™ comp law didn't void exemption certificates

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Attorney General Drew Edmondson says a new <b><a class="headlinelink" href="http://www.kotv.com/main/home/searchKOTV.asp?mainSearch=workers' compensation">workers' compensation</a></b>

Friday, July 1st 2005, 6:58 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Attorney General Drew Edmondson says a new workers' compensation law didn't void certificates that exempt more than 20,000 contractors from workers' compensation coverage.

Two lawmakers sought clarification from Edmondson because Senate Bill 1X -- which was passed in a legislative special session and goes into effect Friday -- eliminates Certificates of Non-Coverage.

The certificates are issued by the state Labor Department to independent contractors to show they don't have to carry workers' comp insurance when they're working as a subcontractor.

Republican Senators Patrick Anderson of Enid and Cliff Aldridge of Midwest City wanted to know if the new law invalidated certificates issued before the law became effective.

Edmondson says there's no language in the new legislation to retroactively repeal certificates issued before Friday and they remain valid until their original dates of expiration.