South Hennepin News

The Minnesota Senate passed a workers' compensation bill to help first responders and health care employees working on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic, which was co-authored by Sen. Warren Limmer. 

Numerous health care workers and first responders are at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 while on the job, according to a press release. Before the bill was passed, these workers had a lot to do before being considered eligible for workers' compensation. 

"Over the last few days and weeks, we have heard from numerous health care workers, police and corrections officers, firefighters and other medical and public safety professionals who are at an elevated risk of contracting the virus due to their job duties," Limmer said in the release. "In the middle of a public health crisis, those workers have enough to worry about."

The new legislation would help these workers access workers' compensation if they were to catch COVID-19 while at work, according to the release. 

"The legislation we approved this week says that workers in certain job classifications are presumed to have an occupational disease if they contract COVID-19, thereby automatically making them eligible for workers’ compensation benefits," Limmer said in the release. 

Those covered by the legislation are licensed peace officers, firefighters, paramedics, nurses, health care workers, corrections officers, EMTs, health care providers and child care workers, according to the press release. 

But Limmer isn't only focused on helping first responders and health care workers. In another press release, Limmer announced several resources approved by the federal and state government to help small businesses during the financial crisis. 

The small business association Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) will offer loans for all small Minnesotan businesses, according to the release. EIDLs offer a low interest and long-term loans for up to $2 million. 

The small business association Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is a $350 million federal loan program for small businesses, the self-employed and gig workers, the release said. The loans are for anyone or any business that is suffering due to COVID-19. Any owner who uses the PPPs for employee payroll will have their loan forgiven, according to the release. 

The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program was authorized by Congress and is for any individual that isn't eligible for regular unemployment insurance, according to the press release. Those who can apply for this program are independent contractors and self-employed individuals. 

The press release also said the Minnesota Small Business Emergency Loan Program can supply small businesses with loans between $2,500 and $35,000 with 0% interest.

The Minnesota Small Business Loan Guarantee Program gives an 80% guarantee for any loan up to $250,000 and will give incentive for the private market to provide loans to small businesses in the state. 

Limmer also announced the Unemployment Insurance Shared Work Program, which will offer alternatives to laying off employees. This program will allow employers to divide the available amount of work among all of the company's employees instead of laying off some workers, the press release said. 

For more information on business and unemployment assistance, visit Minnesota's employment and economic development website.