The proposed bill, General Assembly Proposed Bill No. 6408, seeks to amend section 31-306 of the general statutes to expand the eligibility for compensation paid to dependents in the event of a work-related death. The bill introduces new legal language that allows compensation to be extended to other family members, such as parents and siblings, who would inherit the deceased's assets if they died without a will (intestate). This change aims to ensure that surviving family members can receive financial support when an employee dies due to an accident at work, even if the deceased does not have traditional dependents.

The bill addresses a gap in the current law by broadening the definition of who qualifies as a dependent for compensation purposes. By including additional family members, the legislation recognizes the potential financial impact on a wider circle of relatives who may rely on the deceased for support. This amendment is particularly significant for families where the deceased employee may not have a spouse or children but has other relatives who would be affected by their loss.