The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 5279, aims to expand the criteria for qualifying events that allow employees to receive workers' compensation coverage for post-traumatic stress injuries. Specifically, the bill introduces the witnessing of a serious physical injury as a qualifying event, effective October 1, 2026. This new provision stipulates that witnessing a serious physical injury to a person, which does not result in the death of that person or the loss of a vital body part or function leading to permanent disfigurement, will now be recognized as a qualifying event for workers' compensation claims related to post-traumatic stress injuries.

In addition to this new insertion, the bill also makes several deletions and modifications to existing definitions within the law. For instance, it removes the previous qualifying event of witnessing a traumatic physical injury that results in the loss of a vital body part or function leading to permanent disfigurement. The bill also clarifies the definition of "serious physical injury" by referencing section 53a-3, ensuring that the criteria for what constitutes a serious injury are consistent with existing legal definitions. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance support for employees who experience trauma in the line of duty by broadening the scope of qualifying events for workers' compensation coverage.