The bill amends various sections of the General Laws concerning workers' compensation and benefits for employees, particularly focusing on those employed by the Rhode Island airport corporation and other public entities. It introduces a new definition section (28-29-2) that clarifies the authority of the workers' compensation court to determine the status of an injured-on-duty officer's disability, the description of their injury, whether maximum medical improvement (MMI) has been achieved, and issues of suitable alternative employment. Starting July 1, 2025, employees of the Rhode Island airport corporation, excluding sworn state police, will be subject to workers' compensation court provisions for specific benefit and disability determinations, including the nature and status of disability, the nature and location of injury relative to the work incident, MMI, legal and/or medical causation, suitable alternative employment, and the assignment of fees and costs.

The bill also revises the definition of dependency in the event of an employee's death (28-33-13), clearly defining a spouse's dependency status and updating language to reflect modern circumstances. It amends salary payments for police officers and firefighters injured in the line of duty (45-19-1), ensuring they receive full salary and benefits during recovery. Additionally, the bill establishes deadlines for applying for accidental disability retirement allowances, requiring that such applications be made within the later of eighteen (18) months after the date of the injury or sixty (60) days from the date on which the treating physician certifies that the person has reached maximum medical improvement. The act aims to ensure consistency in workers' compensation claims for state employees and is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
1060: 28-29-2, 28-33-13, 45-19-1
1060  SUB A: 28-29-2, 28-33-13, 45-19-1