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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Eric Lucero (R)

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REP. LUCERO VOTES TO SUPPORT FRONT-LINE RESPONDERS

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

 

ST. PAUL, MN – The Minnesota House on Tuesday passed legislation providing front-line workers with presumptive workers’ compensation coverage in the event they test positive for COVID-19.

State Rep. Eric Lucero, R-Dayton, voted “yes” on the bill.

“Front-line worker occupations include police and fire, paramedics, doctors and nurses, correctional officers, and others,” Lucero said. “These great people continue working very hard every day to keep each of us safe and healthy during the COVID-19 crisis and they deserve our support.”

The legislation addresses concerns damages suffered from the virus would not be covered by the state’s current no-fault workers’ compensation system, a form of insurance that provides salary replacement and medical benefits for workers injured in the course of their jobs.

“I supported this important legislation to ensure our front-line responders know we have their backs and that they are protected if they are diagnosed with COVID-19 during the course of their work,” Lucero said.

The bill represents a compromise agreement made by legislators from all four House and Senate caucuses, and advocates from labor and business groups. The agreement was approved unanimously in an emergency meeting of the Workers Compensation Advisory Council on April 6. The bill also passed the Minnesota Senate and was sent to Gov. Tim Walz for his signature.

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