Fetterhoff Files COVID-19 Workers Comp Coverage Bill For First Responders

Tallahassee, FL – Representative Elizabeth Fetterhoff (R-DeLand) files a new bill that looks to provide workers compensation coverage for first responders affected by infectious and communicable diseases—including COVID-19. According to a release from Fetterhoff, the bill—House Bill 53 (HB 53)—will include specific requirements in order to qualify and provide coverage for infectious diseases that have been declared a public health emergency in accordance with state law. Under this proposed legislation, first responders are presumed to have contracted infectious diseases in the line of duty and not outside of the scope of their employment. Similar coverage already exists in Florida law for hepatitis, meningitis, and tuberculosis. With this legislation, the new expanded coverage will ensure that Florida’s first responders are covered if they are exposed to COVID-19 while performing their duties. “This legislation is extremely important for our first responders who are being exposed every day to COVID-19 while conducting their duties," said Fetterhoff. "We need to ensure that our police officers, firefighters, and EMTs as well as their families have the proper compensation coverage should they become infected while serving our communities.”