Researcher: LRH Page 1 3/20/25
OLR Bill Analysis
SB 1222
AN ACT CONCERNING PORTAL TO PORTAL WORKERS'
COMPENSATION COVERAGE FOR PUBLIC WORKS
DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES.
SUMMARY
This bill extends “portal-to-portal” workers’ compensation coverage
to public works department employees in three situations: (1) when they
are subject to emergency calls while off duty by the terms of their
employment, (2) when they are responding to a direct order to appear
at their work assignment when nonessential employees are excused
from working, or (3) after working two or more mandatory overtime
shifts on consecutive days.
With “portal-to-portal” coverage, an injury that occurs while the
employee is traveling directly between his or her home and workplace
is deemed to have occurred in the course of the employee’s
employment, making him or her eligible to receive workers’
compensation benefits for the injury. Under the bill, a “public works
department” is a state or municipal department responsible for
building, regulating, or maintaining all things in the nature of public
works and improvements.
Existing law gives 9-1-1 emergency dispatchers portal-to-portal
coverage under the same conditions the bill applies to public works
department employees. It also extends portal-to-portal coverage to (1)
Department of Correction employees when they are responding to a
direct order to appear at their work assignment when nonessential
employees are excused from working or after they have worked two or
more mandatory overtime shifts on consecutive days and (2) police
officers and firefighters whenever they are traveling directly between
home and work.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2025 2025SB-01222-R000168-BA.DOCX
Researcher: LRH Page 2 3/20/25
COMMITTEE ACTION
Labor and Public Employees Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 9 Nay 4 (03/06/2025)