Posted: | April 3, 2020 02:30 PM |
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From: | Representative Eric R. Nelson |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | COVID-19 Pay Protection for Police and First Responders |
Please join Representative Jim Rigby and myself as we plan to introduce legislation amending the Heart & Lung Act to provide a crucial protection to our police and first responders as part of Pennsylvania's coronavirus (COVID-19) response. Due to the risk of COVID-19 contamination and spread, many Americans have been displaced from work, are working remotely or are otherwise practicing “social distancing” in order to protect themselves and their neighbors. Police officers and firefighters do not have that luxury -- they continue to work and interact with the public 24/7 in order to protect the lives of all Pennsylvanians. In recognition of their unique position on the front lines, we are introducing legislation that would amend the Heart & Lung Act by providing law enforcement and firefighters with their continued salary should they contract COVID-19 and are unable to work or ordered to quarantine.
COVID-19 is a new virus that causes respiratory illness in people and can spread from person-to-person. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, COVID-19 symptoms can include fever, cough and shortness of breath, and they may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure. Reported illnesses have ranged from people with little to no symptoms to people being severely ill and dying. The COVID-19 virus is spread just like the flu or a cold -- through the air by coughing or sneezing; by close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands; or by touching an object or surface with the virus on it. Please join us in co-sponsoring this important legislation for our police and first responders during this unprecedented time. |
Introduced as HB2399