Title
RESOLUTION NO. 21R-04-78: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL FLORIDA IN SUPPORT OF HOUSE BILL (HB 949) AND SENATE BILL (SB 1314) AMENDING THE FLORIDA STATUTES CHAPTER 112 TO EXPRESSLY ADD “INFECTIOUS DISEASE” TO THE LIST OF ENUMERATED OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES PRESUMED WITHIN THE LINE OF DUTY IN CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE IT IS CONTRACTED WITHIN THE SCOPE OF WORK DURING A DECLARED PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED BY VICE MAYOR DENISE D. GRANT).
Body
Request Action:
Pass a Resolution in support of both HB 949 and SB 1314 which seek to amend the Florida Statutes to expressly add "infectious disease" to the list of occupational exposures presumed within the line of duty in circumstances where it was contracted within the scope of work during a declared public health emergency.
Need:
To protect all the various types of first responders by adding "infectious disease" to the list of occupational exposures presumed to be within the line of duty.
Summary Explanation/ Background:
Vice Mayor Denise D. Grant requested a Resolution supporting the passage of House Bill 949 and Senate Bill 1314 which seek to amend the Florida Statutes to expressly add "infectious disease" to the list of enumerated occupational exposures presumed to be within the line of duty in circumstances where it is contracted within the scope of work during a declared public health emergency effective commencing July 1, 2021. Sergeant Corey Pendergrass of the Lauderhill Police Department died on June 13, 2020 after contracting COVID-19 while on duty. Unfortnately, as with other police officers witihn the tri-county area who died from COVID due to expsures while on duty, the Pendergrass family was denied insurance benefits. The insurance companies in Florida have denied benefit claims and refused to provide coverage for COVID-related deaths on duty stating that infectious disease is not included within the express list of occupational exposures that are presumed to be covered disabilities in the line of duty contained in Florida Statutes, Section 112.181. The City of Lauderhill previously passed Resolution No. 20R-08-171 which had requested that the Florida Legislature pass a bill to amend the applicable Florida Statutes to add infectious disease to the enumerated list of covered occupational exposures that are presumed to be within the line of duty for first responders to be entitled to receive death benefits and workers compensation benefits. THe attached House Bill 949 and Senate Bill 1314 seek to amend the Florida Statutes to provide that infectious disease will be presumed to be covered for the specified first responders when contracted within the line of duty during a declared public health emergency effective July 1, 2021. While this does not have a retroactive application, it will help to insure that future qualifying first responders who are injured or die from infectious disease contracted within the course and scope of work during a declared public health emergency will be eligible for disability coverage and benefits. Our first responders are on the front lines, have a higher risk of exposure due to the nature of their work, and are risking their lives to protect the public. They deserve to have themselves and their families protected for the sacrifices they make as a part of their daily routine duties. As such, the City of Lauderhill supports this legislation.
Attachments:
House Bill (HB 949)
Senate Bill (SB 1314)
City Resolution No. 20R-08-171
Cost Summary/ Fiscal Impact:
Include projected cost, approved budget amount and account number, source of funds, and any future funding requirements
Estimated Time for Presentation:
Master Plan:
Goal 1: Clean, Green Sustainable Environment
[ ] Increase mass transit ridership [ ] Reduce City energy consumption
[ ] Reduce water consumption
Goal 2: Safe and Secure City of Lauderhill
[ ] Crime in lower 50% in Broward [ ] Residents feel safe in neighborhood
[ ] Reduce emergency fatalities
Goal 3: Open Spaces and Active Lifestyle for all ages
[ ] Increase participation in youth sports [ ] Add new park land and amenities
[ ] Increase attendance at cultural programs and classes
Goal 4: Growing Local Economy, Employment and Quality of Commercial Areas
[ ] Increase commercial tax base [ ] Increase employment in Lauderhill businesses
[ ] Decrease noxious and blighted uses in commercial areas
Goal 5: Quality Housing at all Price Ranges and Attractive Communities
[ ] Neighborhood signs and active HOAs [ ] Housing & streets improved, litter reduced
[ ] Increase proportion of single family homes and owner occupied housing
Goal 6: Efficient and Effective City Government, Customer Focused & Values Diversity
[ ] Improves City efficiency [ ] Increase use of Information Technology
[ ] Increases residents perception of Lauderhill as an excellent place to live