Substitute House Bill No. 7141 proposes significant amendments to the Workers' Compensation Act, particularly focusing on compensation for injured employees and the parents of deceased employees. The bill repeals subsection (b) of section 31-308 and introduces a new compensation rate of seventy-five percent of the average weekly earnings of the injured employee, with specific caps and minimums. It establishes maximum compensation durations for various injuries, such as 374 weeks for back injuries, and mandates that administrative law judges award compensation for permanent partial loss of function based on the proportion of total loss rather than at their discretion. Additionally, the bill increases the duration of permanent partial disability benefits for cervical spine injuries from 117 weeks to 208 weeks and expands the list of eligible injuries.

Moreover, the bill modifies section 31-306 to ensure that in cases without presumptive dependents, compensation is divided equally among the deceased employee's parents or wholly dependent individuals. It also establishes a working group to study the adequacy of rehabilitation services for injured employees, which will include various stakeholders and is required to report its findings by February 1, 2026. The working group will meet monthly, and all initial appointments must be made within 30 days of the bill's passage. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the compensation framework and support for injured workers and their families while ensuring a structured approach to evaluating rehabilitation services.