Rhode IslandS32972026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

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

Sponsored By: Frank A. Ciccone, III (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Deadlines now tied to injured-on-duty pay

State employees getting injured-on-duty (IOD) pay must apply for accidental disability retirement by the later of 18 months after injury or 60 days after a doctor says maximum medical improvement. If the injury is clearly permanent and incapacitating, apply within 60 days of that certification. People injured before July 1, 2019 had special 90‑day filing windows tied to July 1, 2019. Non‑state employees who are under the state retirement board and were injured on or after July 1, 2011 face the same deadlines. If you miss the deadline, IOD payments stop. If you apply on time, payments generally continue until a final decision; then they end or convert to a pension if granted.

Responder pay and PTSD help with stricter proof

Cities, towns, fire districts, the State, and the airport authority must keep paying salary, wages, and benefits when a covered police officer, firefighter, or similar responder is incapacitated from duty or from helping in an emergency in Rhode Island. They must also pay for needed medical and related care, and if insurance pays part, the employer pays the difference. A police officer or firefighter diagnosed with PTSD by an independent licensed master’s‑level clinician is presumed injured in the line of duty if the PTSD stems from traumatic events at work or while helping off‑duty in Rhode Island. The presumption does not apply if PTSD comes from discipline, evaluation, job transfer, layoff, demotion, or firing. For off‑duty emergency claims, the responder must show they reasonably believed a life‑saving emergency existed and must submit a sworn statement with details; any available witness must also submit a sworn statement.

Clearer rules for benefit decisions and appeals

Earnings capacity can be set using a real offer of suitable work or evidence of what you can earn. If you return to light duty, your light‑duty wages cannot set your earnings capacity until you work 13 weeks. If your average weekly pay equals your pre‑injury pay (not counting overtime), you are presumed to have regained capacity. The law defines functional impairment as a problem that remains after maximum medical improvement and uses the AMA Guides (6th edition) for ratings. If your agreement left out injuries caused by the original injury, you can ask the workers' compensation court to fix it.

Hearing aids covered; rehab claims monthly

Employers must provide hearing aids or similar devices when needed to cure, rehabilitate, or relieve a work injury. You may submit rehabilitation expense reimbursement requests no more than once every 30 days. Travel reimbursement uses the IRS business mileage rate or your actual reasonable transportation cost.

State workers use workers' compensation court

Beginning July 1, 2025, state employees and Rhode Island Airport Corporation employees (not sworn state police) use the workers' compensation court process for disputes. The court decides issues like liability, disability status, where the injury occurred, maximum medical improvement, medical and legal cause, suitable work, and fees and costs. The court may appoint an impartial medical examiner and can enforce its orders and consent agreements.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Frank A. Ciccone, III
Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

Jacob Bissaillon
Democratic • Senate
John P. Burke
Democratic • Senate
Stefano V. Famiglietti
Democratic • Senate
Walter S. Felag Jr.
Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 136 • No: 1

House vote • 6/8/2026

WORKERS' COMP--GENERAL PROVISION PASSAGE IN CONCURRENCE

Yes: 64 • No: 1

Senate vote • 5/28/2026

COMPENSATION--GENERAL PROVISIONS Passage

Yes: 36 • No: 0