Bill > HB406

This bill establishes a spousal wage replacement program for spouses of law-enforcement officers who are injured in the line of duty and require in-home care. The employer must pay the spouse 66 percent of their average weekly wage, up to 80 percent of the Commonwealth's average weekly wage, provided a treating healthcare provider recommends full-time in-home spousal care and the spouse reduces their work hours or takes unpaid leave to provide it. This compensation is capped at 12 weeks or until a full-time caregiver is hired and is reduced by any wages the spouse receives. The bill also amends existing law to require spouses receiving this compensation to report any changes in employment or earnings, and it mandates that the Workers' Compensation Commission develop an application review process for these claims by January 1, 2027, with certain provisions of the bill also taking effect on that date.