COVID-19 presumption bills covering school workers introduced

Minnesota lawmakers with both chambers on Monday introduced identical legislation that would make COVID-19 an occupational disease arising? out of and in the course of employment.

H.B. 6 and S.B. 16 would apply to teachers or school administrators, student support services personnel, contracted employees, school bus drivers, school? nutrition staff, custodial staff and “any other person” employed by a school district,? charter school or nonpublic school.

The bills state that COVID-19 must be confirmed by a positive laboratory? test or, if a laboratory test is not available for the employee, may be diagnosed by a medical professional “based on the employee’s symptoms.” The presumption “shall only be rebutted if the employer or insurer shows the employment was? not a direct cause of the disease,” the bills state.

The presumption would be in effect retroactive to July 15 and would expire July 30, 2021.

More insurance and workers compensation news on the coronavirus crisis here.