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Minnesota bill would create presumption for teachers with COVID-19

Posted On: Sep. 14, 2020 1:58 PM CST

MN

Minnesota lawmakers have introduced a bill to make it easier for teachers and other school workers to receive workers compensation if they contract COVID-19 on the job.

H.B. 9, introduced Thursday by Democratic Rep. Ryan Winkler, would amend the state’s occupational disease law that presumes that first responders and other workers who acquire certain occupational diseases did so in the course and scope of their employment.

The bill would add employees of school districts, charter schools, higher education workers and school bus drivers to the list of workers eligible to receive workers compensation coverage for acquiring COVID-19. Lawmakers had modified the occupational disease law earlier this year to create a rebuttable presumption for first responders and front-line workers who acquire COVID-19.

If passed, the law would apply to workers who contract COVID-19 on or after the day following the enactment, and the law would sunset May 1, 2021.

The bill has been referred to the House’s Labor Committee.

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