H.F. 121 Section 1. Section 85A.12, Code 2021, is amended by adding 1 the following new subsection: 2 NEW SUBSECTION . 3. a. For purposes of this subsection, 3 “COVID-19” means the same as defined in section 686D.2. 4 b. If an employee can show that the employee was exposed 5 to a person infected with COVID-19 or a similar disease while 6 in the workplace, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that 7 the employee’s infection with COVID-19 or a similar disease is 8 an occupational disease for which an employer is liable for 9 compensation. 10 Sec. 2. Section 686D.8, subsection 3, Code 2021, is amended 11 to read as follows: 12 3. Affect the rights or limits under workers’ either of the 13 following: 14 a. Workers’ compensation as provided in chapter 85 , 85A , or 15 85B , or the except as provided in section 85A.12, subsection 3. 16 b. The rights or limits related to police officers or fire 17 fighters under chapter 410 or 411 . 18 EXPLANATION 19 The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with 20 the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly. 21 Under current law, Code chapter 686D, the COVID-19 response 22 and back-to-business limited liability Act, shall not be 23 construed to affect the rights or limits under workers’ 24 compensation. 25 This bill provides that if an employee can show that the 26 employee was exposed to a person infected with COVID-19 or 27 a similar disease while in the workplace, there shall be a 28 rebuttable presumption that the employee’s infection with 29 COVID-19 or a similar disease is an occupational disease for 30 which an employer is liable for compensation under the Iowa 31 occupational disease law. 32 -1- LSB 1952YH (1) 89 je/rn 1/ 1