Protections extended for First Responders and other workers on COVID-19 front lines

Governor Tim Walz signed Chapter 12, HF 2253 into law, extending workers’ compensation eligibility for emergency first responders and front-line workers, which was set to expire on May 1, 2021. The bill ensures that front-line workers, including doctors and nurses, firefighters, paramedics, police, longterm care workers, home health workers, correctional officers, and childcare providers, continue to qualify for workers’ compensation benefits if they test positive for COVID-19.

HF 2253 adopts the recommendations made to the legislature by the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council, which includes the extension of the presumption that a COVID-19 infection is work-related unless the employer is able to prove that infection happened elsewhere and includes new penalty provisions for improper collection of payment for medical services from an employee.