Virginia considers expanding workers comp presumption

Lawmakers in Virginia on Wednesday introduced a workers compensation presumption bill that would add corrections officers and workers in the enforcement division of the Department of Motor Vehicles to those eligible for coverage of cancer, respiratory disease, hypertension and heart disease.

Under Virginia code, firefighters and police officers are already eligible for workers comp to cover a number of illnesses on presumption unless it is “overcome by a preponderance of competent evidence to the contrary,” according to the language.

H.B. 2075, sponsored by Delegate John Bell, D-Loudoun County, also expands presumption of comp coverage for infectious diseases such as hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus to correctional officers.

A similar bill failed to gain traction at the appropriations level in early 2018, according to the state’s online Legislative Information System.