(KNSI) – On the first day of the 2022 legislative session, Rep. Dan Wolgamott’s (DFL – St. Cloud) legislation (HF 2656) extending the COVID-19 workers’ compensation presumption passed the House Labor, Industry, Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy Committee.
The law provides a presumption that if public safety or health care workers contract COVID-19, they did so during their employment and are covered by workers’ compensation.
The previous law allowing for this presumption sunsetted on December 31, 2021. The new bill would extend the presumption to May 31, 2023, and retroactively cover those impacted during the lapsed time. Since the original law was passed, 22,573 workers have received compensation under the presumption, totaling $20 million.
“Every day, a projected average of 65 frontline workers will contract COVID-19, leaving them and their families on the hook for between $1000-$9600,” said Rep. Wolgamott. “We need to pass this bill as quickly as possible to have the backs of the heroic men and women who are keeping us safe, taking care of us when we are sick, and caring for our children.”
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