The Minnesota Senate today took swift action to protect workers who contract COVID-19 while working on the front lines of the pandemic by making them eligible for workers’ compensation benefits without having to prove they were infected on the job. Under the legislation, workers in certain job classifications are presumed to have an occupational disease if they contract COVID-19, thereby automatically making them eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
“In the last week or so I have heard from so many front line workers about how important this is — police officers, firefighters, nurses and health care workers, EMTs, corrections officers at the Faribault Correctional Facility, and so many more,” said Sen. John Jasinski (R-Faribault). “And rightfully so. These people are putting themselves at risk every day to keep the rest of us safe and healthy. This had to get done, and I am glad we were able to accomplish it so quickly.”
The legislation covers the following workers:
- Licensed peace officers
- Firefighters
- Paramedics
- Nurses
- Healthcare workers
- Corrections officers and security counselors employed by the state or a political subdivision at a corrections, detention, or secure treatment facility
- Emergency medical technicians
- Healthcare providers, nurses, and assistive employees in a health care, home care, or long-term care setting
- Workers who are required to provide childcare to first responders and health care workers under the governor’s previous executive orders.