St. Paul, MN - Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed legislation delivering workers’ compensation benefits to health care and public safety workers who contract COVID-19 in the line of duty. In particular, the legislation provides a presumption that if these workers contract COVID, they did so during the course of their employment and are covered by workers’ compensation. Rep. Jeff Brand (DFL – St. Peter) voted in favor of the bill.
“Minnesota’s frontline responders are going to work in exposed environments every day to keep our state healthy and strong,” said Rep. Brand. “The least we can do is provide them with the financial security they deserve. Should they contract COVID-19, we owe it to them to have their backs so they can focus on getting healthy. This isn’t the end of this conversation. There are many more Minnesotans working in vulnerable positions that deserve our support as they work to help keep Minnesota strong, and I’m going to continue to fight for them.”
A copy of the legislation can be found here, and a video recording of the House floor session can be found on the House Public Information YouTube page. The legislation is expected to be passed by the Minnesota Senate and signed by Governor Walz.