New York Public Personnel Law: Workers’ Compensation Board adds COVID-19 Virus as a serious health condition for the purposes of Paid Family Leave

April 15, 2020

Workers’ Compensation Board adds COVID-19 Virus as a serious health condition for the purposes of Paid Family Leave

The Workers’ Compensation Board added COVID-19 Virus as a serious health condition for the purposes of Paid Family Leave by means of its "Emergency Rule Making" powers.

The Emergency Rule, I.D. No. WCB-15-20-00007-E [Filing No. 250] was filed on March 27, 2020 and states that this amendment is adopted as an emergency measure because the Board wants to ensure there are not unnecessary disputes regarding Paid Family Leave due to the outbreak of COVID-19 by clarifying that COVID-19 should be considered an serious health condition for the purposes of family leave.

The text of rule and any required statements and analyses may be obtained from Heather MacMaster, Workers’ Compensation Board, 328 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12305, (518) 486-9564, email: regulations@wcb.ny.gov.

The emergency adoption took effect immediately upon filing and provides benefits for employees who are caring for their family member.

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