New York bills would provide COVID-19 death benefits

Lawmakers in New York introduced legislation that would provide death benefits for public employees who have died after contracting COVID-19 in the workplace.

S.B. 8420, introduced Tuesday by Democratic Sen. Andrew Gounardes, would establish a presumption for public employees who were physically required to report to work as of March 1 and contracted COVID-19 that was determined to have been a significant contributing factor in their death.

To be eligible for the death benefit, workers must have contracted the virus within 45 days of reporting to work in person, have a confirmed positive laboratory test or be diagnosed before or after death by a licensed health care practitioner.

A similar bill, A.B. 10523, sponsored by nine Democratic representatives in the Assembly, was introduced Monday.

More insurance and workers compensation news on the coronavirus crisis here.