The proposed bill amends the General Laws in Chapter 28-39, which pertains to Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI). It includes a new definition of "benefit" to encompass compensation for unemployment due to sickness or other reasons allowed under the title, thus broadening the scope of valid claims. The bill also revises the "base period" for determining benefit eligibility, introducing an alternate base period for those who are monetarily ineligible under the standard base period and a specific base period for members of the military service who served in a declared combat operation. It redefines "taxes" as the payments made to the TDI fund or reserve fund and clarifies that "contributions" refer to these taxes. The bill stipulates that individuals should not be denied benefits if their employer pays them regular wages during sickness, and it imposes penalties for non-compliance with reporting and payment requirements.

Additionally, the bill allows self-employed Rhode Island residents to opt into the TDI program, with eligibility for benefits starting after 12 months of contributions. It updates the taxable wage base for employee contributions and the interest rate on delinquent payments. The bill also amends the definition of "wages" and includes self-employed residents' wages from self-employment when determining benefits. It revises the weekly benefit rate calculation and modifies the language regarding dependents' allowances and the scope of applicable reasons for unemployment benefits. The bill introduces a new section outlining eligibility for temporary caregiver benefits, removes the waiting period for these benefits, and sets out the commencement date and duration increase for caregiver benefits. It ensures job and health benefit security for employees returning from leave and aligns caregiver benefits with federal and state leave acts, with the act taking effect on January 1, 2025.