Oklahoma House passes COVID-19 presumption bill

The Oklahoma House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill Wednesday to make it easier for first responders to obtain workers compensation for contracting COVID-19 on the job.

H.B. 2239 would add COVID-19 to the list of occupational diseases and presume that first responders who acquire coronavirus did so within the course and scope of their employment unless their employer proves by a preponderance of evidence that the virus was contracted elsewhere.

First responders in the bill are defined as police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technician and emergency medical services providers. If signed into law, the bill would take effect immediately.

The House also passed a bill Monday modifying workers compensation law to make the failure to report a material change in income while receiving disability benefits a felony.

H.B. 2236, which passed in a 68-26 vote, would require employees receiving temporary total disability benefits to report any material changes in their income to their employer, workers compensation insurer or third-party administrator or be subject to a felony charge punishable by up to seven years in prison and/or up to a $10,000 fine.

If signed into law, the legislation would take effect Nov. 1, 2021.

Both bills will go before the state’s Senate for consideration.

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