ST. PAUL, MN — The Minnesota House of Representatives convened Tuesday to pass HF4537, a bill to provide presumptive workers compensation insurance to front-line workers who contract COVID-19. The bill represents a compromise agreement made by legislators from all four House and Senate caucuses, and advocates from labor and business groups. The compromise agreement was approved unanimously in an emergency meeting of the Workers Compensation Advisory Council on April 6. The bill passed Tuesday on a vote of 130-4.
"While the bill may not be perfect with more work to be done and further details to be determined, I ultimately support the bill’s intent,” said Representative Jon Koznick, R-Lakeville. “The bipartisan agreement, that was reached on this important legislation provides front-line workers with the peace of mind knowing that the State of Minnesota has their backs and supports the work they do. The entire Lakeville community owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to the medical professionals, law enforcement officers, and everyone else on the front-line working so hard to keep us safe and healthy. The sacrifice and critical role you have in this epidemic has not gone unnoticed.”
Tuesday’s vote was the first time Rep. Koznick has returned to the Minnesota House since self-quarantining over three weeks ago following contact with an individual that had a presumptive case of COVID-19. He and his family are all feeling healthy.
The Senate is expected to meet this afternoon to approve the legislation and send it to Governor Walz for approval. The legislature is scheduled to reconvene on April 14.
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