Bill > S00172

This bill amends the workers' compensation and insurance laws to increase short-term disability benefits for employees. It introduces new provisions for calculating weekly disability benefits, gradually increasing them from January 1, 2028, through January 1, 2030, with a further increase to 67% of the state average weekly wage thereafter, while also establishing a minimum benefit of $100 per week. The bill also modifies the employee contribution limits for disability benefits, increasing the maximum weekly contribution to $2.20 starting January 1, 2028, and later adjusting it based on a percentage of combined employee and employer contributions. Additionally, it clarifies that disability leave can be taken intermittently or for less than a full work week in increments of one full day or one-fifth of the weekly benefit, and it expands the definition of "family leave" to include a period of six weeks following a pregnancy loss at or after twenty weeks of gestation for eligible employees. The bill also ensures that health insurance benefits are maintained during disability or family leave and prohibits retaliatory actions against employees for taking such leave, while also addressing administrative expenses and penalties for insurers violating workers' compensation laws.