Rhode Island 2025 Regular Session

Rhode Island Senate Bill S1060

Introduced
5/9/25  

Caption

Clarifies several workers' compensation court authority for injuries to sworn employees (police/fire).

Impact

The provisions set out in S1060 will streamline processes for awarding disability benefits to state employees, especially those in law enforcement and emergency response roles. By establishing clear deadlines for applying for disability retirement benefits following injuries, this bill is intended to reduce ambiguity in current laws and facilitate prompt and appropriate support for affected employees. Importantly, it reaffirms the employers' obligations to cover medical costs and salaries during periods of incapacity due to injury sustained in the line of duty.

Summary

S1060 is a legislative act aimed at clarifying provisions regarding the workers' compensation system specifically for sworn employees, such as police officers and firefighters, in the state of Rhode Island. It amends existing definitions and provisions pertaining to workers' compensation to ensure that injured employees receive medical and disability benefits commensurate with their injuries and status. The bill particularly emphasizes the determination of maximum medical improvement (MMI) and delineates the process through which injured officers can apply for accident disability pension allowances.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding this bill emerge from its handling of PTSD among first responders. The bill presumes that officers and firefighters diagnosed with PTSD due to their duties have sustained an injury in the line of duty unless proven otherwise. This aspect has raised concerns among some legislators regarding the robustness of the evidence required to substantiate claims and the potential for misuse of these provisions. Additionally, the amendments to the timelines for applying for benefits may be contentious, as they impose strict deadlines that could disadvantage those unaware of the legal requirements.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

RI S0528

Amends the general law relative to right-of-way of pedestrians to reference the schedule of violations for the adjudication of traffic offenses contained in § 31-41.1-4.

RI S0570

Establishes a speed limit for school buses being driven on a limited access highway to ten miles per hour (10mph) less than the posted speed limit.

RI H6179

Requires the Rhode Island housing authority to update the count of affordable housing stock in the town of Tiverton two (2) times per year.

RI H5898

Amends the general law relative to right-of-way of pedestrians to reference the schedule of violations for the adjudication of traffic offenses contained in § 31-41.1-4.

RI H6180

Ensures that minimum egress requirements for conventional subdivisions in Tiverton apply equally to comprehensive permit applications and cannot be waived, modified, or reduced for such applications.

RI S0251

Prohibits the state, municipalities, or courts from attempting to collect any motor vehicle violation fines or costs, after more than seven (7) years of the fine becoming final.

RI H5900

Distinguishes, in two separate subsections, a first offense for reckless driving, which is a misdemeanor, and a second or subsequent offense for reckless driving, which is a felony.

RI S0555

Distinguishes, in two separate subsections, a first offense for reckless driving, which is a misdemeanor, and a second or subsequent offense for reckless driving, which is a felony.

Similar Bills

RI H6319

Clarifies several workers' compensation court authority for injuries to sworn employees (police/fire).

RI S0660

Adds probation officers and parole officers to the definition of "police officer" for purposes of salary payments during line of duty illness or injury.

RI S2059

Extends injured-on-duty (IOD) benefits to police officers and firefighters that suffer from diagnosed post-traumatic stress disorders, except under certain conditions.

RI H7464

Extends injured-on-duty (IOD) benefits to police officers and firefighters that suffer from diagnosed post-traumatic stress disorders, except under certain conditions.

RI S0230

Relief Of Injured And Deceased Firefighters And Police Officers

RI H5373

Relief Of Injured And Deceased Firefighters And Police Officers

RI H7796

Relief Of Injured And Deceased Firefighters And Police Officers

RI H5283

Adds department of corrections' correctional officers to the list of public safety employees that are entitled to their full salary if they are injured and become disabled as a result of performance of their job duties.