Lawmakers Approve Workers’ Compensation Change

Connecticut lawmakers approved one change to workers’ compensation law during the 2023 legislative session after considering a range of proposals.

SB 913, which expands workers’ compensation benefits to cover post-traumatic stress injuries, passed the House on a 104-44 vote June 1 after earlier winning unanimous approval from the Senate.

CBIA worked to limit the scope of this coverage and address serious cost concerns.

To be eligible, an employee must witness the death of an individual, or witness an individual lose a vital body part while at work.

There is a cap on this coverage at 52 weeks, with no additional benefits after that period.

Disability Payments

As originally drafted, HB 6797 had costly implications for Connecticut employers.

The bill increased additional partial permanent disability payments by 500% and increased the maximum benefits period from 520 weeks to 780 weeks.

However, through CBIA’s advocacy efforts, the bill was amended to require a study of the effects of increasing these benefits as well as the delay of medical records in workers’ compensation cases.

The bill passed the Senate June 1 after clearing the House in May.

Prescription Medication

The House failed to act by the June 7 adjournment on legislation making changes to prescription drug benefits under the workers’ compensation system.

HB 6550 required an employer, or an insurer acting on behalf of the employer, to provide an employee with a certified letter any time that prescription benefits are cut.

The bill also required an administrative law judge to wait 15 days, allowing for an extended period of time for an employee to request a hearing, and then sign off on a Form 36 before benefits are cut.

Additionally, the bill stated that these cases will receive priority for receiving a hearing.

While CBIA supports the premise of this bill, there were concerns it created more unnecessary hearings, slowing down a well-functioning workers’ compensation system.

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