The bill amends Section 45-19-1 of the General Laws, changing the title to "Salary payment during line of duty illness or injury" and ensuring that police officers, firefighters, and other specified emergency personnel in Rhode Island receive their full salary, wage, and benefits while incapacitated due to line-of-duty injuries or sickness. It also requires employers to cover medical and related expenses, unless insurance is available, in which case the employer pays the difference between insurance coverage and actual costs. The definition of "police officer" is expanded to include correctional officers, and the bill outlines the necessary steps for officers or firefighters to receive benefits, including the process for applying for an accidental disability retirement allowance from the state retirement board.

The bill mandates that state employees receiving injured-on-duty (IOD) benefits must apply for an accidental disability retirement allowance within specific timeframes based on the nature and timing of their injury. Failure to comply with these timeframes will result in the termination of IOD payments. However, the bill ensures that IOD payments continue until the state retirement board makes a final decision on the disability payments. Special provisions are made for those injured before July 1, 2019, with different deadlines based on the duration of IOD benefits received by that date. The bill also confirms that correctional officers are included among those entitled to full salary if injured in the line of duty and states that the bill will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
2318: 45-19-1