Bill > H2122

This bill amends Chapter 152 of the General Laws to provide worker compensation protections for emergency response and medical personnel who contract COVID-19. Specifically, the bill establishes that for workers in healthcare and related fields, if an employee is diagnosed with COVID-19, there is a presumption that the infection was contracted while performing job duties, that the claim falls under worker compensation guidelines, and that proper notice of injury has been given. The bill covers a wide range of healthcare workers and first responders, including hospital employees, nursing home staff, community health center workers, psychiatric hospital personnel, healthcare workers in prisons, home health aides, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and paramedics. By creating this presumption, the bill makes it easier for these essential workers to receive worker compensation benefits if they become ill with COVID-19, recognizing the heightened risk they faced during the pandemic by working in settings with increased exposure to the virus.

Labor and Employment

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2122