The bill, Substitute House Bill No. 5325, concerns the compensation paid to injured employees under the Workers' Compensation Act. It proposes an amendment to the general statutes, specifically section 31-308(b), which would take effect on July 1, 2024. The amendment involves the adjustment of compensation rates for certain injuries, with a focus on the duration of permanent, partial disability (PPD) benefits for a cervical spine injury. The bill increases the number of weeks of compensation for a cervical spine injury from 117 to 208 weeks. This change reflects an increase in the potential benefits an injured worker may receive for this specific type of injury.

The bill also includes a fiscal impact statement, indicating that the increase in PPD benefits for a cervical spine injury will result in an increase in Workers' Compensation expenditures of approximately $1 million per year beginning in FY 25. The bill has been reviewed by the Judiciary Committee and received a Joint Favorable Substitute with a unanimous vote of 36 to 0 on March 28, 2024. The effective date of the bill, if passed, would be July 1, 2024, and it would amend section 31-308(b) of the general statutes.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 31-308a, 31-283a