On Monday, Minnesota labor and business groups announced an agreement on a presumptive workers’ compensation insurance proposal for the state’s first responders, health care workers, and others if they test positive for COVID-19.

“I am thrilled an agreement is finally in place to make sure first responders like nurses, firefighters, police officers, paramedics, and other health care workers are taken care of if they are infected with COVID,” said Sen. Carla Nelson (R-Rochester). “They are the ones on the front lines, and they need peace of mind that they won’t be abandoned if they get sick while putting themselves in danger to keep the rest of us healthy.”

Because of the often highly controversial nature, changes to the state’s workers’ compensation insurance laws are first considered by the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council (WCAC), which is comprised of an equal number of members representing labor and business. After receiving approval from the WCAC, the proposal will go to the legislature for approval, and finally to the governor.