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House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	February 25, 2021 08:56 AM
From:	Representative Emily Kinkead
To:	All House members
Subject:	Work-Related Compensation for Hospitalized/Quarantined Frontline Workers

For nearly a year, frontline workers have risked exposure to COVID-19, risking their health and livelihoods in service to the people and communities of this Commonwealth.  Their efforts have helped keep Pennsylvanians safe and supplied with crucial goods and services as the pandemic continues.  Our support for these workers is paramount.   This legislation will establish that during a declared disaster emergency, epidemic, public health emergency, or pandemic, a frontline worker’s medical condition and inability to work due to hospitalization, quarantine, isolation, or other control measures required to control infection or exposure, will be presumed to be a direct result of the worker’s work-related duties. Workers will not be required to use sick, vacation, personal or other accrued paid or contractual leave to cover their absence from work.  Instead, they will qualify and be eligible for unemployment compensation for the duration of the period of incapacitation or inability to work and workers’ compensation for all medical costs related to infection or exposure.  These provisions apply to future declarations of disaster emergency as well as the current COVID-19 pandemic.   It is imperative that we acknowledge the hazardous duty frontline workers are required to undertake just by going to work and ensure that these brave workers receive the benefits to which they are entitled.  Please join me in support of frontline workers by supporting this important legislation.   (Previously introduced as HB 2396.)

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