Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

II invite you to join me in sponsoring important legislation that will assist our nurses, doctors, EMS, police, firefighters, pharmacists, grocery store employees and so many others are on the frontlines right now. These essential employees are protecting our well-being by keeping our health facilities operating, transporting our vulnerable family members and neighbors to get care, and making sure emergency services available and ensure that we have access to food and necessary goods for our families.

Workers compensation benefits are currently available to them if they get Coronavirus; however, they’re still required to prove that COVID-19 is occurring more in their occupation than in the general population.

Given the sacrifices that these essential employees are making to keep us safe and our households running, this legislation would eliminate this burden of proof on workers who have contracted COVID-19. Under this bill, Coronavirus will be presumed to be an occupational disease for employees of life-sustaining businesses and occupations.

Professionals in each of these fields are asking us to make this change happen. Please join me in thanking these workers who are risking their health and safety for the sake of ours by supporting this effort. We need to do our best to make sure we take care of these vital workers, too.