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Bill

HD 216

An Act providing worker compensation protection to emergency response and medical personnel related to COVID-19 infection

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Tony Cabral and 1 co-sponsor

Presumes COVID-19 infections in emergency responders and medical personnel are work-related for workers' compensation purposes, eliminating proof-of-workplace-transmission requirements.

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Bill Summary · HD 216

Legislative bill overview

HD 216 would extend workers' compensation benefits to emergency response and medical personnel who contract COVID-19, presuming the infection arose from their workplace duties. This creates a legal presumption that positive COVID-19 cases among these workers are work-related, shifting the burden of proof away from employees.

Why is this important

First responders and healthcare workers faced elevated exposure risks during the pandemic, yet many struggled to access workers' compensation for COVID-19 without proving direct workplace transmission—a difficult evidentiary standard. This bill addresses a real gap in worker protections for those in high-exposure occupations who bore significant health risks in service to the public.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact on employers and insurers: Creating a presumption could substantially increase workers' compensation claims and costs for hospitals, municipalities, and insurance providers, potentially raising premiums or straining public budgets
  • Scope ambiguity: The bill's definition of which infections qualify (all COVID cases? only symptomatic?) and which personnel are covered (all hospital staff? only patient-facing roles?) may create disputes and administrative complexity
  • Duration and temporal limits: The bill may lack clarity on whether this presumption applies indefinitely or only to infections during specific pandemic phases, creating questions about ongoing coverage obligations

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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