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Bill

SB 1028

AN ACT CONCERNING WORKERS' COMPENSATION BENEFITS FOR CERTAIN MENTAL OR EMOTIONAL IMPAIRMENTS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Cathy Osten

Connecticut bill expands workers' compensation to cover workplace-related mental health conditions, increasing benefits access but raising employer insurance costs and claim verification concerns.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Labor and Public Employees
#emotionallydisturbedpersons #mentalillness #workers'compensation
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Bill Summary · SB 1028

Legislative bill overview

SB 1028 would expand Connecticut's workers' compensation system to cover certain mental or emotional impairments for workers. Currently, most states restrict mental health claims to cases where a physical injury occurs alongside the psychological condition, or where the mental injury results from extraordinary workplace stress. This bill would broaden eligibility criteria for workers to receive compensation benefits when they suffer qualifying mental or emotional conditions.

Why is this important

Mental health issues represent a significant portion of workplace injuries, yet most workers cannot access compensation unless strict conditions are met. Expanding coverage could provide financial support for workers experiencing workplace-related depression, anxiety, PTSD, or burnout while also potentially shifting occupational health priorities toward mental wellness. However, this also affects employers' insurance costs and could influence hiring or workplace policies.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost implications: Expanding coverage increases workers' compensation insurance premiums for employers, which may be passed to workers through wages or felt by small businesses with tight margins
  • Definitional challenges: Mental impairments are harder to diagnose and attribute to workplace causes than physical injuries, raising questions about claim verification and potential fraud prevention
  • Employer concerns: Businesses worry about increased litigation, subjective claim determinations, and difficulty defending against psychological injury claims compared to concrete physical injuries

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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