West Virginia bill would provide workers’ comp to first responders with PTSD
A West Virginia lawmaker has reintroduced a bill to provide workers’ compensation benefits to first responders with post-traumatic stress disorder. This is the fourth year in a row the legislator has introduced the legislation; last year, the bill passed the West Virginia House but died in the state senate. Herald-Dispatch
Texas officers’ families say state delaying death benefits
A Dallas policeman is one of more than 80 state and local law enforcement and correctional officers to die from COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic last year, according to the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas. Dozens of families of officers who died from COVID-19 are now caught in the bureaucracy of trying to collect line of death benefits. KHOU (Houston)
Nevada gets $1.8M to fight fraud in unemployment programs
The federal government has awarded the state of Nevada nearly $1.8 million in grants to combat fraud within two unemployment programs. The funds are meant to assist with administrative expenses incurred from implementing identity verification requirement for a program that provides jobless benefits for out-of-work gig workers and independent contractors. Las Vegas Review-Journal
Virginia congressman reintroduces bill based on death of Quantico employee
Inspired by the death of an employee of a child care center at Quantico Marine Corps Base, a Virginia congressman has reintroduced a bill intended to protect federal employees during the pandemic. It would require every federal agency to develop a plan with detailed directions on how the full workforce can return to work, including details such as what personal protection the agencies will provide, cleaning protocols and contingencies for employees who are high risk. WUSA (Washington, D.C.) [with video]