Bill > S2927

This bill makes Rhode Island state employees eligible for temporary disability insurance starting January 1, 2027, meaning they will be able to receive benefits if they are unable to work due to sickness. The bill amends existing Rhode Island General Laws to include the State of Rhode Island as an employer in the temporary disability insurance program, ensuring that all state employees, regardless of their employment status (full-time, part-time, seasonal, or temporary), will be covered and eligible for benefits under the same conditions as other workers. This coverage will be funded through employer and employee contributions, with payroll deductions for employees handled similarly to other employers, and the state will take administrative steps to implement these changes, including updating payroll systems. The bill also clarifies that this new coverage applies even if it conflicts with existing collective bargaining agreements, though supplemental disability benefits can still be negotiated.