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HB 7802

AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- RELIEF OF INJURED AND DECEASED FIRE FIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sam Azzinaro and 9 co-sponsors

Expands line-of-duty benefits to probation and parole officers, guaranteeing full pay and benefits during illness/injury and clarifying related medical and retirement processes.

04/16/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 7802

Summary of HB 7802 (2026) – Rhode Island

Title: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES — RELIEF OF INJURED AND DECEASED FIRE FIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS

Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Session: 2026
Introduced: February 12, 2026
Referred to: House Finance
Sponsors: Reps. O’Brien, McNamara, Craven, Azzinaro, Corvese, Fellela, Noret, McEntee, Donovan, Read (plus co-sponsors)

Purpose and Intent

  • Expand the roster of public-safety employees entitled to full salary and related benefits during line-of-duty illness or injury.
  • Specifically adds probation officers and parole officers to the list (alongside police, firefighters, crash rescue crewpersons, fire marshals, etc.) who would receive full pay and benefits while incapacitated in the performance of duties or while rendering emergency assistance in Rhode Island.

Key Provisions

Section 1: Expanded eligibility for line-of-duty benefits

  • The act modifies Rhode Island General Laws § 45-19-1 to ensure that injured or ill public-safety personnel are paid as if they were not incapacitated during periods of line-of-duty impairment.
  • Covered personnel include:
    • Police officers (including airport police, environmental police, capitol police, deputy sheriffs, etc.)
    • Firefighters and crash rescue crewpersons
    • Fire marshals, chief deputy fire marshals, and deputy fire marshals
    • Added: probation officers and parole officers
  • Benefits include:
    • Salary or wages and benefits the employee would have earned if not incapacitated
    • Payment of medical, surgical, dental, optical, or other attendance/treatment costs, nurses, hospital services, medicines, crutches, and related equipment
  • If the employing entity provides insurance coverage for the related treatment/services/equipment, the employer is obligated to pay the difference between the maximum insurance coverage and actual costs (i.e., the employee’s out-of-pocket difference).

Recurrence and disability considerations

  • If a member on disability retirement experiences a recurrence of the injury/illness tied to their disability retirement, the employer must cover similar expenses, subject to subsection (j).

PTSD presumption (expanded coverage)

  • Subsection (a)(2) creates a presumption that PTSD diagnosed by an independent licensed mental health professional, relating to exposure to potentially traumatic events in the performance of duties or emergency assistance off-duty in RI, is an injury in the line of duty.
  • The presumption can be rebutted by a preponderance of evidence showing PTSD is not job-related.
  • The PTSD presumption does not apply if the PTSD diagnosis arises from disciplinary actions or similar adverse job actions.

Definitions (sections b–e)

  • Clarify who is a police officer, firefighter, crash rescue crewperson, fire marshal, and related roles covered under the statute.

Workers’ compensation case management (section f)

  • For state employees (excluding sworn RI State Police) impacted by this provision, case management and dispute resolution fall under chapters 29–38 of title 28 starting with petitions filed on/after July 1, 2025.
  • Court may appoint an impartial medical examiner and shall enforce court orders and agreements.

Employer verification and evidence (section g–h)

  • To qualify for benefits, employees must show reasonable grounds for believing an emergency required immediate assistance.
  • Claims for off-duty emergency aid must be supported by sworn declarations from the employee and any available witnesses detailing the event, time, place, and nature of the emergency, with perjury language required.

Disability retirement and timing (sections j–k)

  • For those receiving injured-on-duty benefits, timing to apply for accidental disability retirement with the RI State Retirement Board is defined (generally the later of 18 months post-injury or 60 days after healing to maximum medical improvement).
  • If an applicant fails to apply within the specified window, injured-on-duty benefits terminate.
  • If awarded accidental disability retirement, benefits align with existing retirement statutes (chapter 36-10).

Grandfathering and transitional provisions (subsection 1(iii)-(iv) of section k)

  • Special transition rules for individuals who were injured-to-benefit prior to certain dates, with extended deadlines to apply for accidental disability retirement.
  • Final adjudication of disability benefits ends injured-on-duty payments.

Effective Date

  • The act takes effect upon passage.

Potential Impact

  • Public safety personnel in Rhode Island, including probation and parole officers, would have enhanced protections, receiving full salary and related benefits during line-of-duty illnesses or injuries, with cost-sharing responsibility shifted to employers only for amounts not covered by insurance.
  • Expanded PTSD presumption provides a streamlined path to benefits for PTSD related to on- or off-duty emergency response, while maintaining protections against abuse via disciplinary-action exclusions.
  • Adds procedural requirements for claim verification (sworn declarations) and clarifies interactions with the workers’ compensation system and the state retirement board.
  • Potential fiscal implications for municipalities, fire districts, the RI State Police system, and the RI Airport Corporation due to increased benefit obligations.

Notes

  • The bill as introduced focuses on ensuring financial protection for injured/ill public-safety employees and clarifies the interplay between payroll, medical costs, disability retirement, and workers’ compensation processes.
  • The explanatory text indicates the primary addition is probation and parole officers to the covered categories.

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

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