February 14, 2011

Bills Introduced to the Rhode Island Senate (Labor Committee), February 8-10

Carroll Andrew Morse

Significant Rewrites with Statewide Impact

S0271From the official description: "Repeals the section of the Rhode Island General Laws relating to continuation of workers' compensation benefits for partial incapacity".
S0273Again, from the official description: "This act would change the spendable base wage calculation from seventy-five percent (75%) to eighty-five percent (85%) under the workers’ compensation law. This act would also make additional changes to the law relating to partial incapacity".

Targeted Changes with Statewide Impact

S0250Increases fines for violations of the laws involving electricians.
S0251Highway maintenance operatiors who perform "snow removal and emergency operations" can take sick leave and get overtime during the same pay period.
S0252From the official description: "This act would expand the types of buildings which would be exempt from the state mandated requirements of boiler and pressure system inspections, based on the size of the water heater".
S0272Creates a "a chief prevailing wage investigator" position within the department of labor and training. (Also known as "the George Nee Economic Development Act").
S0274Requires employers to pay for transportation to health providers treating compensible injuries.