The Senate Insurance and Financial Institutions Committee will be hearing House Bill 81 on Wed., Feb. 26 that will expand Workers’ Compensation coverage to Corrections and Youth Services employees who are harmed by exposure to blood, body fluids or chemicals, like fentanyl.

Currently, the law only provides that law enforcement, first responders and emergency room personnel be automatically covered by Workers’ Compensation when exposed to harmful body fluids and blood. HB 81 says all employees at any public or private “detention facility," including state prisons and Department of Youth Services facilities will now be covered when exposed.

That means Correction Officers, Youth Specialists and others in DR&C and DYS exposed to harmful substances such as fentanyl as well as blood and body fluid containing infectious diseases will be covered by Workers’ Compensation for post-exposure testing and treatment.