An Act providing benefits for permanent functional loss and disfigurement under the Worker's Compensation Act

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Sean Garballey and 1 co-sponsor

Expands workers' compensation to cover permanent functional loss and disfigurement from work injuries, providing ongoing benefits to affected workers.

Overview

HD 2822 is a proposed bill introduced on November 29, 2025. Its stated purpose is to provide benefits under the Worker's Compensation Act for workers who experience permanent functional loss or disfigurement as a result of work-related injuries. The available information does not include the current status beyond the introduction date.

Purpose and intent

Expand the Worker's Compensation Act to recognize and compensate permanent functional loss and disfigurement.

Align benefits with modern understanding of impairment and the impact of injuries on a worker’s daily functioning and appearance.

Ensure workers with lasting physical consequences receive compensation beyond temporary disability.

Key provisions (as introduced)

The bill would add new benefit provisions to cover permanent functional loss and disfigurement resulting from workplace injuries.

Definitions: The text would likely define terms such as “permanent functional loss” and “disfigurement” to determine eligibility.

Eligibility and assessment: Criteria and medical standards would be established to certify impairment and qualify for benefits.

Benefit calculation and payment: The bill would specify how benefits are computed (amounts, duration, and schedule) and how they are disbursed.

Administration: Provisions would address administration, oversight, and enforcement of the new benefits, potentially including points of appeal or dispute resolution.

Note: The exact language, definitions, benefit levels, eligibility thresholds, and timelines are not provided in the information available here. The above reflects common elements such bills typically address and what readers should look for in the full text.

Affected parties

Workers who suffer permanent functional loss or disfigurement from work-related injuries.

Employers and workers’ compensation insurers who fund or administer benefits.

Medical professionals who assess impairment, as well as the state workers’ compensation board or agency responsible for enforcement and adjudication (as applicable in the jurisdiction).

Procedural and timeline considerations

Introduced: November 29, 2025.

Status: Not specified in the provided information. As a proposed bill, it would normally advance through committee hearings, potential amendments, and floor votes, followed by potential enactment into law with an effective date specified in the bill.

Next steps to watch: committee action, public testimony, fiscal impact analysis (if required), and eventual votes in the legislative chamber.

Additional notes

For a complete understanding, the bill’s full text is needed to confirm precise definitions, eligibility criteria, benefit amounts, funding sources, effective dates, and any transition provisions.

Readers should track the bill through the official legislative record for status updates, amendments, and fiscal impact statements.

Bill