The bill amends various sections of Rhode Island's General Laws concerning workers' compensation, introducing a new section, 28-29-2, which defines key terms related to disability determinations. It specifies that employees of the Rhode Island airport corporation, excluding sworn state police, will be subject to workers' compensation provisions for benefit and disability determinations starting July 1, 2025. The new section outlines the authority of the workers' compensation court to determine the nature and status of an injured employee's disability, the nature and location of the injury, maximum medical improvement (MMI), legal and medical causation, suitable alternative employment, and the assignment of fees and costs. The court is also empowered to appoint impartial medical examiners and enforce its orders.

Additionally, the definition of "wholly dependent" individuals in Section 28-33-13 is updated to replace "wife" with "spouse," promoting inclusivity in the language regarding dependency. The bill amends Section 45-19-1 to clarify that police officers and firefighters incapacitated by job-related injuries or illnesses will receive their full salary and benefits during their incapacity. It establishes a presumption that police officers or firefighters diagnosed with job-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are considered to have sustained an injury in the line of duty unless proven otherwise. The bill also outlines new requirements for sworn declarations from police officers and firefighters claiming benefits for off-duty emergency assistance, with a focus on consistency in language and deadlines for workers' compensation claims, effective July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
6319: 28-29-2, 28-33-13, 45-19-1
6319  SUB A: 28-29-2, 28-33-13, 45-19-1