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House File 121 - IntroducedA Bill ForAn Act 1relating to compensation for infection with COVID-19 or
2a similar disease under the Iowa occupational disease law.
3BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
1 Section 1. Section 85A.12, Code 2021, is amended by adding
2the following new subsection:
3 NEW SUBSECTION. 3. a. For purposes of this subsection,
4“COVID-19” means the same as defined in section 686D.2.
5b. If an employee can show that the employee was exposed
6to a person infected with COVID-19 or a similar disease while
7in the workplace, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that
8the employee’s infection with COVID-19 or a similar disease is
9an occupational disease for which an employer is liable for
10compensation.
11 Sec. 2. Section 686D.8, subsection 3, Code 2021, is amended
12to read as follows:
133. Affect the rights or limits under workers’ either of the
14following:
15a. Workers’compensation as provided in chapter 85, 85A, or
1685B, or the except as provided in section 85A.12, subsection 3.
17b. Therights or limits related to police officers or fire
18fighters under chapter 410 or 411.
19EXPLANATION
20The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
21the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
22Under current law, Code chapter 686D, the COVID-19 response
23and back-to-business limited liability Act, shall not be
24construed to affect the rights or limits under workers’
25compensation.
26This bill provides that if an employee can show that the
27employee was exposed to a person infected with COVID-19 or
28a similar disease while in the workplace, there shall be a
29rebuttable presumption that the employee’s infection with
30COVID-19 or a similar disease is an occupational disease for
31which an employer is liable for compensation under the Iowa
32occupational disease law.
-1-je/rn
2a similar disease under the Iowa occupational disease law.
3BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
1 Section 1. Section 85A.12, Code 2021, is amended by adding
2the following new subsection:
3 NEW SUBSECTION. 3. a. For purposes of this subsection,
4“COVID-19” means the same as defined in section 686D.2.
5b. If an employee can show that the employee was exposed
6to a person infected with COVID-19 or a similar disease while
7in the workplace, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that
8the employee’s infection with COVID-19 or a similar disease is
9an occupational disease for which an employer is liable for
10compensation.
11 Sec. 2. Section 686D.8, subsection 3, Code 2021, is amended
12to read as follows:
133. Affect the rights or limits under workers’ either of the
14following:
15a. Workers’compensation as provided in chapter 85, 85A, or
1685B, or the except as provided in section 85A.12, subsection 3.
17b. Therights or limits related to police officers or fire
18fighters under chapter 410 or 411.
19EXPLANATION
20The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
21the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
22Under current law, Code chapter 686D, the COVID-19 response
23and back-to-business limited liability Act, shall not be
24construed to affect the rights or limits under workers’
25compensation.
26This bill provides that if an employee can show that the
27employee was exposed to a person infected with COVID-19 or
28a similar disease while in the workplace, there shall be a
29rebuttable presumption that the employee’s infection with
30COVID-19 or a similar disease is an occupational disease for
31which an employer is liable for compensation under the Iowa
32occupational disease law.
-1-je/rn