Heckova a session in the Minnesota House today, with many members literally phoning in their votes.
At Session Daily, Rob Hubbard reports in House passes workers’ comp changes for health care workers, first responders with COVID-19:
While praise has been widely accorded those on the front lines of the struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic — particularly health care workers and first responders — there’s been a nagging question among their ranks: What happens if one of them contracts the virus? Would they receive workers’ compensation for time missed during their illness?
The House sought to ease their minds on Tuesday by overwhelmingly passing HF4537.
Sponsored by Rep. Dan Wolgamott (DFL-St. Cloud), it specifically addresses workers’ compensation claims for employees who contract COVID-19 during their duties as health care workers — including home health care workers — paramedics, emergency medical technicians, police officers and firefighters.
The changes would also pertain to corrections facility officers and counselors, as well as child care workers providing care for the children of health care workers and first responders.
Such workers would be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits without having to provide proof that they contracted COVID-19 from a particular patient on a particular day. But, to receive compensation, the employee’s condition would have to be confirmed by a positive laboratory test or the diagnosis of a physician, physician’s assistant or nurse, based upon the employee’s symptoms.
Passed 130-4 by the House — with most members doing so remotely — and 67-0 by the Senate, it next goes to Gov. Tim Walz, who said during an afternoon briefing he could sign it as soon as Tuesday evening. Sen. Jeff Howe (R-Rockville) is the Senate sponsor.
The bill is the result of negotiations between the representatives of labor and business groups who make up the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council.
House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler (DFL-Golden Valley) said of the bill: “It’s making sure that the health care risks they’re taking on are not also financial risks.”
The Commerce and Labor and Industry departments project the bill’s cost to range from $320 million in a best-case scenario to $580 million at worst. But House Speaker Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) emphasized in a press briefing earlier in the day that some of that money may come from a federal aid package that’s estimated to bring about $1.87 billion to the state.
As to whether such workers’ compensation claims are currently being filed, Winkler said, “Indications are that the numbers are quite low.”
The proposed legislation would not be retroactive, instead only covering cases diagnosed on or after the day following enactment. It would sunset on May 1, 2021.
The bill would also extend the target date for implementation of a new workers’ compensation data management system.
Rep. Peggy Scott (R-Andover), voted for the bill after raising questions about the rules of evidence should a claim be contested in court, as well as the costs to the state that may be incurred as a result of the legislation.
“It’s a concern to me what all of this is going to cost at the end of the day,” she said.
Hubbard doesn't note who the four nay-sayers were, but we will, via the Journal of the House: Cal Bahr, New House Republican-East Bethel; Steve Green, R-Fosston; Marion O'Neill, R-Maple Lake; and, Linda Runbeck, R-Circle Pines. We'll look for their explanations of the no votes.
Here's the video of the floor debate:
Following the session, the bill's author tweeted:
BREAKING: My bill to ensure frontline responders who contract COVID-19 can get workers compensation just passed the MN House 130-4!
— Rep. Dan Wolgamott (@RepWolgamott) April 7, 2020
To our public safety, healthcare, and childcare workers: THANK YOU for the risks you take & the sacrifices you make to protect our communities! pic.twitter.com/qmF2pSE9Uc
Unions representing many frontline workers tweeted their thanks to the legislature :
MNA members’ efforts, along with our community partners, to call on #mnleg and @GovTimWalz to ensure that frontline workers are able to access Workers’ Compensation resources were instrumental in keeping the pressure to address this critical issue. Your voice matters! #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/BYh5sfoyAU
— Minnesota Nurses (@mnnurses) April 8, 2020
Some lawmakers' tweets illustrated the historic social distance protocol observed during the session:
Social distancing was the normal:
Your state reps: social distancing & serving the people of Minnesota - voting by telephone today, for the first time in history. 🥰 #mnleg https://t.co/h8ZDorGqjW
— Melissa Hortman (@melissahortman) April 7, 2020
Today, we are meeting remotely to pass legislation to protect our health care workers. We need a minimum of 90 members in the ‘seat of government’. To minimize viral exposure to all, many of us are in our vehicles in the parking ramps. pic.twitter.com/1gB912v0qz
— Brad Tabke (@BradTabke) April 7, 2020
Related posts:
- He's on it: Jeremy Munson gets confused about when MN House HHS Finance Division last met
- Different timetables & revenue, same dilemma: SD and MN legislatures in the time of COVID-19
- News digest: #mnleg passes another COVID bill
- One "pod" of CoreCivic's closed Appleton prison could become Tri-County Covid Medical Center
- New House Republican Caucus legislative staffer really does worry about proper social distance
- New House Republican Caucus Facebook admin stays classy about American Sign Language
Photo: A screengrab of the mask-wearing Speaker of the House, Chief Clerk and other Minnesota House staffers while the House was in session. Via Shakopee state representative Brad Tabke's tweet.
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