Governor Signs Bill Creating Conclusive COVID-19 Presumption

First responders and health care workers in Alaska will be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if they’re stricken with COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, under a bill recently signed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. The governor signed Senate Bill 241, by the Senate Rules Committee, which creates a conclusive presumption that COVID-19 arose out of employment for specified workers. The presumption, which can’t be rebutted, applies retroactively to anyone diagnosed with the disease since March 11. The presumption in SB 241 applies to firefighters, emergenc...