Connecticut's part time legislature was set to take up an amendment to a bill last session, before it was derailed by the pandemic, which would have provided certain workers’ compensation benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder to EMTs, correctional officers and emergency dispatchers.  The bill required the Labor and Public Employees Committee to review the feasibility of extending the law. 

Danbury Senator Julie Kushner says the original bill only covered firefighters, police and parole officers.  She says they should look into covering health care workers too.

Kushner wants the Labor Committee, which she chairs, to take up another idea.  She says employees who contract COVID-19 on the job should have a presumption for workers’ compensation benefits so they don't have to wade through months of hearings.

Given the pandemic's effect on the workforce, Kushner also proposed the committee look into hazard pay and staffing ratios.