Bill > A04812

This bill establishes new protections and provisions for workers' compensation related to COVID-19, primarily focusing on medical treatment and temporary compensation payments. The bill creates a presumption that medical treatment for COVID-19 is emergent and does not require prior authorization, allowing medical providers to treat COVID-19 patients more quickly and with fewer administrative hurdles. Additionally, the bill modifies temporary compensation payment rules, reducing the period for temporary payments from one year to sixty days. For injured workers, this means employers can now provide temporary compensation payments for a shorter period before a formal determination of the claim is made. The bill also requires the workers' compensation board to immediately schedule a hearing to adjudicate the claim once temporary payments cease. A notable provision specifically relates to public employees, establishing that if a public employee was required to physically report to work during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic (as of March 1, 2020), contracted COVID-19, and subsequently died, their death benefits may be approved if a medical board determines COVID-19 was a significant contributing factor. The bill is designed to streamline workers' compensation processes during the COVID-19 pandemic and provide additional protections for workers.

Labor and Employment

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A4812