This bill makes several amendments to the General Laws regarding temporary disability insurance. It adds new definitions for "Average weekly wage," "Benefit," "Benefit rate," and "Reserve fund." It allows individuals to receive benefits for unemployment caused by sickness or other reasons allowed under this title. It also allows individuals to be deemed partially unemployed due to sickness if they fail to earn wages equal to the weekly benefit rate for total unemployment due to sickness.

The bill also adds a new section that allows self-employed Rhode Island residents to enroll in the temporary disability insurance program by filing an enrollment form with the department. However, they will not be eligible for benefits until they have made twelve months of contributions. Failure to meet reporting and contribution requirements will result in ineligibility for benefits.

Additionally, the bill amends sections related to employee contributions to the temporary disability insurance program. It establishes the taxable wage base for each calendar year, based on the maximum weekly benefit amount and duration. For calendar year 2024 and subsequent years, the taxable wage base will not exceed the Social Security contribution and benefit base.

This bill makes several changes to the current law regarding temporary disability insurance benefits in Rhode Island. It states that any self-employed Rhode Island resident who fails to meet the quarterly reporting requirements or make the required quarterly contributions in a timely manner will be ineligible to receive benefits until they have paid any outstanding payments owed. It adds a provision that employers or self-employed Rhode Island residents who fail to make payment of contributions required by the law will be liable for interest on those delinquent payments at a rate of one and one-half percent per month. It clarifies that wages for benefit purposes only include wages paid after the employer has satisfied the conditions of becoming subject to the law. It also adjusts the computation of the benefit rate payable to eligible individuals based on their highest wages in the base period and the average weekly wage paid to individuals covered by the law.