Costly Workers’ Compensation Bills Fail

Several costly workers’ compensation bills failed to make it across the finish line during the 2024 Connecticut legislative session.

CBIA worked closely with the Insurance Association of Connecticut throughout the session to ensure that worker’s compensation premium rates continued to decline.

“Our state’s businesses have seen workers’ compensation premiums decline in cost for the last 10 years,” noted CBIA’s Pete Myers.

“That is because of the well-functioning workers’ compensation system and Connecticut’s business community is pleased to see this system remain in place.”

HB 5386, which originated in the Labor and Public Employees Committee, represented one of the biggest threats to system stability this year.

The bill mandated that employers, or insurers acting on behalf of employees, provide notice of a proposed discontinuance or reduction of coverage of an employee’s prescription medication.

HB 5386 represented one of the biggest threats to workers’ compensation system stability this year.

It also required approval from an administrative law judge before coverage discontinuance or reduction took effect.

The House failed to act on HB 5386, which would have caused delays in claim adjudication, before the General Assembly adjourned May 8.

HB 5325, which increased the cervical neck rating for partial permanent disability rating from 117 weeks to 208 weeks, also failed to win a House vote.

The Judiciary Committee approved the bill unanimously, as it was among the recommendations developed by a working group that identified changes to the PPD rating system.

The House did not act on the measure however, based on concerns about its significant fiscal note. 

CBIA anticipates these bills resurfacing next year. 

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For more information, contact CBIA’s Pete Myers (860.244.1921).