Today, the Minnesota Legislature unanimously passed legislation that provides occupational protections for certain workers who contract COVID-19 on the job. The bill, House File 4537, specifies that certain frontline workers, including health care workers, police officers, paramedics, corrections officers, and others are eligible for worker’s compensation benefits for health issues that may arise due to the coronavirus.
“Even in the middle of this crisis, taking care of the workers on the front lines must remain a priority. The legislation passed today is necessary to protect the doctors, nurses, EMTs, law enforcement officers, and many others that are coming face-to-face with this virus on behalf of the people of our state,” said Senator Andrew Lang (R-Olivia). “If a worker is experiencing issues related to contracting COVID-19 on the job, they need to know they will be covered. This is a commitment we’re making to the people of the state of Minnesota that are working hard every day.”
The legislation guarantees that individuals who contract COVID-19 while performing their occupational duties are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits – without the burden of having to prove the infection was a direct result of their job. Individuals with confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 will be presumed to have an occupational disease, thereby making them eligible for workers’ compensation benefits under state law. Most licensed peace officers, firefighters, paramedics, nurses, health care workers, correction officers, workers at secure state facilities, workers at long-term care facilities, and child care providers are among the classes of workers included in the bill.
“These Minnesotans are making amazing sacrifices and taking on increased risk to keep us safe. We have an obligation to do all we can to support them – and that’s what this legislation does,” said Senator Lang.
The provisions of the bill expire on May 1, 2021.
Senator Andrew Lang, of Olivia, represents communities in Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Renville, and Swift counties in the Minnesota Senate.