Legislators in two states propose admission bills for COVID-19

Lawmakers in Maryland and Rhode Island proposed legislation Friday that would make it easier for certain classes of workers to obtain work compensation for COVID-19.

Maryland H.B. 765 would amend the State Workers' Compensation Act to assume that firefighters, rescue workers, law enforcement officers, detectives, certain health care workers and child care workers diagnosed with COVID-19 successfully disproved the virus during their employment.

By law, workers must suffer from acute respiratory distress from COVID-19, have been in direct contact with the general public, and tested positive for coronavirus or its antibodies.

Rhode Island HB 5264 would classify any disability or quarantine arising from COVID-1

9 as an occupational disease during a declared condition or emergency, and would also create a rebuttable assumption that certain workers acquiring COVID-19 during that state of emergency did During the course

the legislation would apply to licensed healthcare professionals who have direct or indirect contact with coronavirus patients, public safety workers, important workers including food and transport workers who have contact with the public and all other workers designated as necessary during a declared emergency.

Both bills would take effect upon passage.

More insurance and work compensation news about the coronavirus crisis here .