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SB 228

AN ACT EXPANDING WORKERS' COMPENSATION COVERAGE FOR POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS INJURIES.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by John Kissel

SB 228 expands Connecticut workers' compensation to cover post-traumatic stress injuries, potentially increasing benefits access for affected workers and employer insurance costs.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Labor and Public Employees
#emergencymedicalresponders #lawenforcement #post-traumaticstressdisorders #workers'compensation
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 228

Legislative bill overview

SB 228 would expand Connecticut's workers' compensation system to include coverage for post-traumatic stress injuries (PTSI) as compensable workplace conditions. The bill appears designed to recognize psychological injuries sustained by workers during employment, particularly those in high-risk occupations, and ensure they receive medical treatment and wage replacement benefits similar to physical injury claims.

Why is this important

Currently, most workers' compensation systems prioritize physical injuries, leaving workers with severe psychological trauma from workplace incidents without reliable coverage pathways. This expansion could significantly affect first responders, healthcare workers, and other occupations with documented PTSI risks, while also creating substantial new claims processing and cost implications for the state's workers' compensation system.

Potential points of contention

  • Definitional clarity: Determining what qualifies as a compensable PTSI versus normal workplace stress requires precise legal definitions; vague standards could lead to claim disputes and litigation
  • Cost implications: Expanding covered conditions typically increases employer insurance premiums and state liability; fiscal impact projections will be crucial to legislative debate
  • Causation standards: Establishing whether PTSI must result from a specific traumatic workplace event or can accumulate from job conditions affects claim volume and employer predictability
  • Coverage precedent: Connecticut would join a minority of states with explicit PTSI coverage, creating implementation challenges and potential insurance market adjustments

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

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