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HB 5278

AN ACT REQUIRING UNINSURED AND UNDERINSURED MOTORIST COVERAGE FOR DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION EMPLOYEES.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Josh Elliott and 2 co-sponsors

Connecticut bill requires DOT to provide uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance coverage protecting employees injured by uninsured drivers while working.

REF. BY HOUSE TO COMMITTEE ON Appropriations
#motorvehicleinsurance #stateemployees #transportationdepartment #death #injuries
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Bill Summary · HB 5278

Legislative bill overview

HB 5278 would mandate that Connecticut's Department of Transportation provide uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage for its employees. This coverage would protect DOT workers in cases where they're injured in vehicle accidents caused by drivers who lack adequate insurance or carry no insurance at all.

Why is this important

DOT employees face elevated occupational risks while working on roadways, including accidents with uninsured or underinsured drivers. The bill addresses a potential gap in worker protections by ensuring these employees have financial recourse when harmed by negligent, uninsured parties—otherwise they might bear substantial medical and wage-loss costs personally.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost implications: Mandating UM/UIM coverage increases insurance expenses for the state budget, with unclear cost estimates presented in available legislative materials
  • Scope specificity: The bill's definition of which DOT employees qualify and under what circumstances may need clarification to avoid ambiguous coverage disputes
  • Existing coverage gaps: Questions about whether current workers' compensation systems already address these scenarios, or if this represents genuinely new protection versus duplicative coverage

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

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