Rhode IslandH85242026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- WORKERS' COMPENSATION--GENERAL PROVISIONS .

Sponsored By: Arthur J. Corvese (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 2 costs, 3 mixed.

Workers’ comp now covers hearing aids

The law requires employers to pay for medical, optical, dental, and surgical devices needed to cure or relieve a work injury. Hearing aids and other amplification devices are now covered when needed to treat or relieve the injury.

Full pay and medical for injured first responders

Covered police, firefighters, crash rescue crew, fire marshals, and certain deputies get their full salary or wages and benefits during incapacity from a duty injury or sickness, or while giving emergency help in Rhode Island. Employers also pay for medical, dental, optical, nursing, hospital care, medicines, crutches, and needed devices. If insurance pays part, the employer pays the remaining difference. Similar payments apply if a member on a disability pension has a recurrence, as limited by law.

Apply for disability retirement or injured-on-duty stops

If you receive injured-on-duty (IOD) pay and fall under the state retirement board, you must apply for accidental disability retirement by the later of 18 months after the injury or 60 days after your doctor certifies maximum medical improvement. If your injury is static and incapacitating, apply within 60 days after permanency is certified. Missing these deadlines ends IOD payments. IOD payments also end when the state retirement board makes a final decision. Special transition windows applied for injuries before July 1, 2019, including a 90‑day window from July 1, 2019 for some people.

PTSD presumed job injury for police and fire

If a police officer or firefighter is diagnosed with PTSD by an independent licensed mental health professional with a master’s degree, the law presumes it is a line‑of‑duty injury when tied to exposure to potentially traumatic events at work or while giving emergency help in Rhode Island, including off‑duty. Employers can rebut this by a fair preponderance of the evidence. The presumption does not apply when PTSD arises from discipline, evaluations, transfers, layoffs, demotions, terminations, or similar job actions.

Off‑duty claims need proof and oaths

To claim benefits for injuries while giving off‑duty emergency help in Rhode Island, you must show you reasonably believed an emergency needed immediate help to protect or rescue human life. You and any available witnesses must file sworn declarations with the date, time, place, what happened, and the cause and nature of injuries, including the required perjury wording.

Clearer rules for earning capacity and impairment

The court can set weekly earning capacity using a real job offer or other proof of ability to earn, including your level of functional impairment. Functional impairment is measured by the AMA Guides (6th edition) or similar sources after you reach maximum medical improvement. Your actual light‑duty wages do not set capacity until you have worked light duty successfully for at least 13 weeks. If you return to an average weekly wage equal to your pre‑injury earnings (not counting overtime), your earning capacity is presumed restored.

Workers’ comp court for state employees

Beginning July 1, 2025, state and Rhode Island airport corporation employees who qualify for chapter 19 benefits (not sworn state police) use the workers’ compensation court for many disputes. The court can decide liability, disability status, injury location, maximum medical improvement, medical and legal causation, suitable alternative work, and fees and costs. The court may appoint impartial medical examiners and enforce its orders.

Easier to fix wrong workers’ comp agreements

You can ask the workers’ compensation court to correct a memorandum of agreement for mistakes. Reasons include a wrong diagnosis, missing injuries or body parts, or the wrong compensation rate. The court can hear the petition and fix errors.

Rehab expenses reimbursed once a month

You may submit reimbursement requests for rehab costs—like board, lodging, travel, or transportation—no more than once every 30 days. This limits how often you can seek payment for those expenses.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Arthur J. Corvese
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

Samuel A. Azzinaro
Democratic • House
Stephen M. Casey
Democratic • House
Brian Patrick Kennedy
Democratic • House
Carol Hagan McEntee
Democratic • House
Thomas E. Noret
Democratic • House
Earl A. Read, III
Democratic • House
Joseph J. Solomon, Jr.
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 66 • No: 1

House vote • 6/4/2026

WORKERS' COMP GENERAL PROVISIONS PASSAGE