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SB 3297

AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- WORKERS' COMPENSATION--GENERAL PROVISIONS

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jake Bissaillon and 4 co-sponsors

SB 3297 updates definitions, streamlines dispute resolution, and strengthens rehabilitation and benefits administration for workers’ compensation, especially for public-sector empl

06/23/2026 Signed by Governor
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Bill Summary · SB 3297

Summary of SB 3297 (Rhode Island, 2026) – Workers' Compensation – General Provisions

Purpose and intent

SB 3297 proposes targeted amendments to Rhode Island’s workers’ compensation law, focusing on clarifying definitions, expanding court authority over certain classifications and disputes, and enhancing procedures related to rehabilitation, case management, and benefits for public-sector employees (including specific provisions for state, airport corporation, and municipal employees). The bill aims to streamline dispute resolution, standardize certain costs and approvals, and improve coordination between courts, rehabilitation providers, and employers.

Key provisions and changes

  • Definitions (Section 1)

    • Refines “earnings capacity” to base post-injury wage adjustments on actual offers of suitable alternative employment or evidence of earning ability, with discretionary court considerations. Establishes a 13-week light-duty period before earnings are used to adjust capacity when returning to light work.
    • Defines “functional impairment” per the AMA guidance (6th edition or comparable).
    • Introduces presumptions related to earnings capacity if an employee returns to pre-injury wages (excluding overtime).
    • Expands who is considered an “employee” for purposes of claims under chapters 29–38, including state and airport corporation employees, with specifics on case management, disability determinations, and the potential appointment of an impartial medical examiner.
    • Clarifies exclusions from “employee” status (e.g., sole proprietors, independent contractors, casual workers) with certain exceptions for corporate officers and certain whistleblower-like roles.
    • Adds general and special employer concepts, including contractor scenarios and required insurer certifications to ensure proper coverage under general arrangements.

  • Medical services and rehabilitation (Sections 2)

    • Medical services: Reinforces employer obligation to provide reasonable medical treatment and related items, and directs the director to establish cost procedures (potentially aligning hospital charges with Medicare-like rates). Hospitals must certify costs; some hearing aids may be excluded.
    • Rehabilitation (Section 2, 28-33-41): Stresses expedited rehabilitation to return employees to work, detailing three components: medical restorative services, vocational/restorative services, and reemployment services. Allows for spiritual treatment options and notes that some costs (e.g., travel and lodging) are borne by the employer when necessary for rehabilitation. Empowers the director to certify rehabilitation providers and maintain a registry; requires certified counselors for plan approvals.

  • Appeals related to memoranda of agreement (Section 3)

    • Clarifies grounds for appeals of memoranda of agreement (fraud, error in diagnosing or listing injuries, rate of compensation, etc.) and directs cases to be heard in accordance with chapters 29–38.

  • Line-of-duty benefits and retirement (Section 4)

    • Expands protections and procedures for line-of-duty benefits for specified police and fire personnel (including airport police) and clarifies the process for post-traumatic stress disorder, disability retirement eligibility, and associated timelines for applying for accidental/ordinary disability benefits.
    • Establishes timeframes for applying (e.g., 18 months after injury or 60 days after MMI, with special transitional rules for long-standing beneficiaries) and clarifies termination rules if applications are not made timely.
    • Aligns IOD (injured-on-duty) benefits with retirement board determinations and specifies outcomes when disability benefits are granted.

Affected parties and impact

  • Employees and employers: Broadly affects public-sector workers (state, airport corporation, municipal employees) and conventional private-sector employees by refining eligibility, rehabilitation procedures, and earnings adjustments.
  • General and special employers: Adds clarification on responsibility in joint-employer scenarios and mandates certifications to ensure coverage under workers’ compensation.
  • Rehabilitation providers and courts: Introduces regulatory oversight via a director-made provider registry and formalizes court empowerment to enforce orders and manage disputes.
  • Benefits recipients: Introduces PTSD presumptions for line-of-duty injuries and tightens timelines for applying for accidental disability retirement for affected personnel.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: Upon passage.
  • Rehabilitative and medical procedures: Director to establish billing/cost procedures; rehabilitation plans require certification; court can appoint impartial medical examiners.
  • Public-sector disability timelines: Specific countdowns for applying for accidental disability retirement, with consequences for late applications (potential termination of benefits).

Overall, SB 3297 updates definitions, streamlines dispute resolution, strengthens rehabilitation processes, and clarifies benefits administration for workers’ compensation, with notable emphasis on public-sector workers and contractor arrangements.

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

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