On Sunday, CSDA along with numerous other public agency associations and private industry submitted the attached letter to the Governor and Legislative Leadership regarding workers compensation presumptions. The letter is intended to help educate policy leaders on the issue from the employer perspective and assist leaders as they consider their options in facing the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether you are well-versed or a novice in workers’ compensation policy, the letter is worth a read to become more familiar with the topic.
The employer letter was issued in response to a letter sent by labor unions requesting a workers’ compensation presumption on all employers, whereby if any employee gets sick or believes they may have been exposed to COVID-19, that all medical costs, lost wages, and housing costs would be automatically covered by the employer through the workers’ compensation system. Since the unions made their request, the Legislature has introduced two COVID-19 workers’ compensation presumption bills, AB 664 (Cooper, Gonzalez) and SB 1159 (Hill, Daly), and the Governor’s staff has indicated they are considering recommending the Governor issue an Executive Order on the issue.
CSDA will continue to advocate on and monitor the issue and keep you informed on any new developments related to a COVID-19 workers’ compensation presumption.