Bill > S1060

This bill clarifies and expands the workers' compensation court's authority for sworn employees (police and firefighters) in several key ways. The legislation modifies existing law to explicitly empower the workers' compensation court to determine specific aspects of an injured employee's case, including the nature and status of disability, the details of the work-related injury, whether maximum medical improvement (MMI) has been reached, issues of medical and legal causation, suitable alternative employment, and the assignment of attorney fees and costs. The bill updates language related to dependents' benefits, specifically modernizing terms around spousal and child dependencies. Additionally, the bill provides more precise guidelines for employees receiving injured-on-duty benefits, including clearer timelines for applying for accidental disability retirement allowances and standardizing the process for state employees. The changes aim to provide more clarity and consistency in how workers' compensation cases are handled, particularly for sworn public safety employees like police officers and firefighters. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025, giving employers and employees time to understand and prepare for the new provisions.

Labor and Employment

https://status.rilegislature.gov/