Minnesota Legislative session update: Workers comp bill, nursing patient load limit proposed

Photo by: Minnesota House of Representatives
Photo by: Minnesota House of Representatives

(St. Paul, MN) -- The Minnesota legislative session is humming along in the twin cities.

Thursday, a bill extending a presumption that Minnesota workers contracted COVID-19 on the job advanced to the governor's desk. The Senate unanimously approved the bill that will continue to make it easier for employees to gain workers' compensation benefits. The state House pushed the bill forward with a 124 to eight vote.  If Governor Tim Walz signs the bill, it will become effective the next day.

Meanwhile, DFL lawmakers are proposing a bill that would limit nursing patient loads. The bill is intended to help prevent burnout among nurses, reducing the number of nurses leaving hospitals for other medical settings or exiting the profession altogether.  

The bill would mandate that hospitals set their own maximums, developed by a committee made up of equal numbers of managers and direct care nurses.