The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 348, aims to expand workers' compensation coverage for employees of public works departments by clarifying the definition of "arising out of and in the course of his employment." The bill introduces new provisions that specify circumstances under which public works employees are considered to be working, including when they respond to emergency calls while off duty, when ordered to appear at work during nonessential employee excusal periods, or after consecutive mandatory overtime shifts. This new language is inserted into subdivision (1) of section 31-275 of the general statutes, which outlines the conditions for determining if an injury is compensable under workers' compensation.

Additionally, the bill repeals the previous clause (iv) and replaces it with the new provisions for public works employees, while also making adjustments to the numbering of subsequent clauses. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2026, and aims to ensure that public works employees receive appropriate compensation for injuries sustained under the specified conditions, thereby enhancing their protection under workers' compensation laws.