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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Dan Wolgamott (DFL)

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Rep. Wolgamott joins Governor Walz, Public Safety and Healthcare Workers for signing of COVID-19 Workers’ Comp Law

Friday, February 11, 2022

St. Paul, MN - Today, surrounded by first responders, Governor Tim Walz signed House File 1203 into law. The legislation, authored by State Representative Dan Wolgamott (DFL - St. Cloud), is an extension of the law that presumes that in the event a public safety or healthcare worker contracts COVID-19, they did so in the line of duty and are therefore covered by workers’ compensation. 

“I’m proud to get this bill over the finish line for Minnesota’s 183,000 public safety, healthcare, and childcare workers.” said Rep. Dan Wolgamott. “Frontline workers have had our backs throughout this pandemic, and with the signing of this bill, the State of Minnesota has their backs too.”  

The previous law allowing for this presumption expired on December 31, 2021, leaving 183,000 frontline workers and their families without the guarantee of compensation in the event they contract COVID-19. The new bill would extend the presumption to January 13, 2023. Since the original law was passed, 22,573 workers have received compensation under the presumption, totaling just under $20 million. During the lapsed time, over 2,000 frontline workers have contracted COVID-19. 

Those workers impacted by this legislation include firefighters; peace and police officers; paramedics; EMTs; health care providers, nurses or assistive employees in a health care, home care or long-term care setting who work with COVID-19 patients; correctional officers or security counselors at correctional facilities; and child care providers who are required to provide child care for the children of first responders and health care workers under the Governor’s Executive Orders.

This was the first piece of legislation signed into law this session, having passed off the House floor last Thursday. 

Pictured: Rep. Wolgamott, Speaker Hortman, Gov. Walz, Lt. Gov. Flanagan