The bill amends various sections of the General Laws concerning Workers' Compensation, specifically in Chapters 28-29 and 28-33, to introduce new definitions and clarify existing terms. It establishes that all disputes concerning original liability on matters filed pursuant to 45-19-1 will be addressed, and it defines "maximum medical improvement" (MMI) under the new section 28-29-2(9).

The bill also modifies employer responsibilities regarding medical services, specifically removing the previous limitation that employers were not liable for providing hearing aids or other amplification devices. It outlines the process for expense reimbursement requests, stating that these requests shall be submitted no more frequently than once every thirty days.

Additionally, the bill clarifies procedures for appeals from memoranda of agreement, including the requirement that appeals must address all parts of the body affected by injuries and any injuries caused by or flowing from the original injury.

It also includes provisions for salary payment during line-of-duty illness or injury, ensuring that employees of the state of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island airport corporation are subject to specific case management and dispute resolution provisions.

The act aims to enhance protections and benefits for injured workers while streamlining the claims process, particularly for police officers and firefighters, by expanding the definition of line-of-duty injuries to include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and presuming such injuries are work-related unless proven otherwise.

Overall, the act seeks to improve the workers' compensation framework by clarifying existing laws and introducing new provisions to better support injured employees.

Statutes affected:
8524: 28-29-2, 28-35-5, 45-19-1