What’s happening: Senate Bill (SB) 632 would create a private sector workers’ compensation presumption that a variety of illnesses and injuries, including COVID-19, arose in the course of providing direct patient care at hospitals. It is critical that hospitals urge opposition to this bill.
What else to know: Hospitals are encouraged to write a letter urging Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, chair of the state Senate Committee on Labor, Public Employment and Retirement, to oppose this bill. The deadline to submit letters is noon (PT) on April 2, and the committee will hear the bill on April 9.
Creating these presumptions sets a precedent that has the potential to significantly alter the state’s workers’ compensation system, which already addresses the conditions SB 632 covers. See CHA’s Call to Action for more details, as well as a downloadable template letter for hospitals to use and other resources.
