New Workers Comp Law Impacts Small Family-Owned Businesses

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Small family-owned and -operated businesses are not required to provide workers compensation coverage under a new law which takes effect Saturday.

Under Senate Bill 730, family businesses with five or fewer employees related by blood or marriage to the owner are exempt from mandatory workers compensation requirements.

"Philosophically, it's a great idea to grant this sort of relief to small family-held businesses," Labor Commissioner Brenda Reneau said Thursday. "Ideally, I would like to see all small business owners in similar situations receive the same benefit." At the same time, Reneau said the new law presents "an enforcement nightmare" to her agency and …