Legislature approves health worker presumption
Washington state lawmakers are sending Gov. Jay Inslee a bill that would create a presumption covering health care workers sickened by infectious diseases that are the subjects of a public health emergency.
The Senate on Monday signed off on amendments made to S.B. 5190 while the measure was in the House of Representatives. The House on April 8 voted 84-14 to pass an amended version of the bill that the Senate voted 34-15 to pass on Feb. 25.
The bill would create a presumption for health care employees that any infectious or contagious disease that is the subject of a public health emergency is an occupational condition during the emergency.
The presumption could be rebutted by clear and convincing evidence that a worker was exposed to the disease outside of employment or was working at home immediately before getting sick.
The measure also includes provisions addressing unemployment insurance claims filed by health care workers during a public health emergency.
S.B. 5190 would take effect immediately if enacted.
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