Covid-19 Food Worker Safety Act

March 25, 2020

In the near future, I will be introducing legislation that would designate workers at food processing/protein facilities across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as “essential employees” and/or “front line employees” for all matters/circumstances, including but not limited to childcare, safety measures and paid leave to be made available to these workers.

These workers are vital to the food supply chain that nourish and feed our communities. It is imperative that Employers should take the following necessary, preventative actions to protect these workers:

Social Distancing: Employers should make available more space(s) for employees to take their breaks and meal periods. This includes opening up any conference or training rooms as well as temporary accommodations, such as a heated tent. Break times should be adjusted to reduce the number of employees on break at any given time. Table configurations should be changed so that the employees are always facing forward and not across from each other.

Providing a Presumption of Eligibility for Workers’ Compensation benefits for Workers that Get Sick in the Workplace

March 25, 2020

I invite you to join me in sponsoring important legislation that will assist our nurses, doctors, EMS, police, firefighters, pharmacists, grocery store employees and so many others are on the frontlines right now. These essential employees are protecting our well-being by keeping our health facilities operating, transporting our vulnerable family members and neighbors to get care, and making sure emergency services available and ensure that we have access to food and necessary goods for our families.

Workers compensation benefits are currently available to them if they get Coronavirus; however, they’re still required to prove that COVID-19 is occurring more in their occupation than in the general population.

SB 1102 – Covid-19 Grocery Store Worker Safety Act

March 25, 2020