The Senate Commerce and Labor Committee met this morning and took action on the following pieces of legislation:
HB 5028 (Jones) Workers' compensation; presumption of compensability for COVID-19. This bill did not receive a hearing and was sent to the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations.
A similar bill, SB 5066 (Saslaw), was heard in the Senate Finance and Appropriations committee last week. SB 5066 was Passed by for the Day as members expressed their concerns over the unknown fiscal impact on the legislation and questioned whether it would deter school divisions from returning to in-person instruction. Committee Chair, Senator Janet Howell (D-Fairfax), announced at last week's meeting that no other Senate bills would be heard by the committee during the Special Session which likely tabled SB 5066.
The VSBA Government Relations team will continue to monitor both SB 5066 and HB 5028 and report back on the latest developments.
The Senate Commerce and Labor Committee also heard HB 5116 (Guzman). This legislation would have guaranteed quarantine leave pay for individuals, or individuals caring for family members who have contracted COVID-19, or who may be self quarantining due to a potential exposure to the virus. The legislation was Passed by Indefinitely by a unanimous vote of the committee.
