On January 16, VACo testified in opposition to HB 1851 (Arnold), which would have expanded the workers’ compensation presumption of compensability for certain cancers causing the death or disability of certain employees who have completed five years of service in their position to include sheriffs or deputy sheriffs.
Though not opposed to the policy intent of the legislation, the bill would have imposed significant costs to local government risk insurers, which would then be reflected in higher insurance premium costs for local governments. VACo opposes any effort to expand workers’ compensation presumptive illnesses eligibilities for public employees that is not done in concert with additional state funding assistance to local governments to offset additional insurance liabilities.
VACo was joined in opposition by VAcorp. The Labor and Commerce Subcommittee #2 recommended laying the bill on the table by a 4-3 vote.
VACo Contact: Jeremy R. Bennett