SW Minnesota Today

A bill that provides workers’ compensation for first responders who contract COVID-19 passed in both Houses of the Minnesota Legislature, but the bill doesn't have a funding source, which concerns at least one group.

Workers’ compensation claims covered under House File 4537 include health care workers, police, firefighters, childcare workers and other employees who contract the coronavirus at work.

Covering these employees for workers’ compensation will cost between $320 million and $580 million, House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler told The Center Square.

“It’s very much a concern to me how much all of this is going to cost at the end of the day," state Rep. Peggy Scott said to The Center Square.

The failure to include a plan to pay for the program concerns The League of Minnesota Cities. The bill may add unprecedented stress on the state’s workers’ compensation system, the group told The Center Square. Governments will have to pass these costs to property taxpayers when they can least afford it.

“[First responders] deserve the best financial protection our state can offer,” the league said to The Center Square. “We can do that without compromising the future of our workers’ compensation system and further burdening local economies.”

Winkler said the state doesn’t want people to feel that they can’t risk their financial future by serving residents of the state.

“We need to do this now and we will figure out the cost,” he said to The Center Square.

Under current state law, employers aren’t liable for workers’ compensation for disease or injury that they can't trace to the employment as a direct and proximate cause, The Center Square reported.

The new bill presumes their eligibility for workers’ compensation by meeting one of two requirements. They need to show a positive COVID-19 lab test. Or they can provide a written diagnosis from a licensed physician, physician’s assistant or advance practice registered nurse that they have contracted COVID-19.

If the employer can show the employee wasn’t exposed at the workplace or that the exposure couldn’t have caused the illness, they can deny the presumption.

House Speaker Melissa Hortman said it’s easy to find the heroes in this crisis.

“Our first responders and health care workers are putting themselves on the front line of this battle every day. They need to know we have their backs. We are pleased we were able to come to a consensus on this important issue,” Hortman told The Center Square.

Sen. John Jasinkski said he’s heard from front line workers how important this issue is. He backed the bipartisan agreement.

"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," he told The Center Square.

Gov. Tim Walz has said he supports the bill.