HB 5385 Connecticut House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE TO STUDY UNDUE DELAY IN WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIMS BY POLICE OFFICERS AND FIREFIGHTERS.

HB 5385 requires the Workers' Compensation Commission to study why police officers and firefighters face delays in their workers' compensation claims. The study must examine specific causes, including administrative processing, medical provider scheduling issues, and insurer authorization requirements. The Commission must complete this study and submit a report to the legislature by January 1, 2027, to identify potential solutions for reducing delays. This bill does not change existing claim procedures but aims to inform future policy decisions.

Issues: ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

May 2026

Senate Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

Jun 2026

Introduced Feb 26, 2026 Signed Jun 2, 2026

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What changed between versions

Raised Bill → LAB Joint Favorable Substitute · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to create a formal Task Force instead of requiring the Workers' Compensation Commission to conduct a study independently. This change establishes a specific group of eight members, including legislative leaders and agency heads, to investigate delays in workers' compensation claims for police and firefighters. The new structure includes rules for appointing members, selecting a chair, and setting a deadline for submitting a report by January 1, 2027.

Scope change

The scope changed from a general study by the Workers' Compensation Commission to a specific, multi-stakeholder Task Force with defined membership and administrative support.

REQUIREMENT

Established a new Task Force with eight specific members appointed by legislative leaders and agency heads to study claim delays.

Added procedural rules for appointing members, selecting a chairperson, and scheduling the first meeting within 60 days.

Specified that the joint standing committee's administrative staff will serve as the administrative support for the Task Force.

TIMELINE

Changed the reporting requirement from the Commission to the new Task Force, with a deadline of January 1, 2027.

Floor votes · Senate May 6, 2026 · House May 4, 2026

How they voted

36–0

Passed

Total votes 36

May 6, 2026

D Democratic25

25 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican11

11 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 2, 2026

Signed into law

SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

lower

May 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

SEN. PASSED, HO. AMEND. SCH. A

upper

May 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

SEN. ADOPTED HO. AMEND. SCH. A

upper

May 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

HOUSE PASSED, HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A

lower

May 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

HOUSE ADOPTED HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A

lower

Mar 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Joint Favorable Substitute

lower

Feb 26, 2026

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Labor and Public Employees

lower

15 primary · 0 co-sponsors