Providing for standards for mitigation of infectious disease under the state occupational health and safety law, making penalties applicable, and including effective date provisions

This bill provides for standards for mitigation of infectious disease under the state occupational health and safety law, Code chapter 88. The bill requires the labor commissioner to promulgate standards for mitigation of medical emergencies relating to infectious disease, including but not limited to COVID-19. The standards shall apply to all industries but may include industry-specific standards. The standards shall specifically address necessary personal protective equipment to be provided to employees. Such standards shall minimize to the greatest extent possible hazardous situations likely to cause employee exposure to infectious disease. The bill requires the commission to prioritize special inspections relating to possible violations of standards promulgated as required by the bill. The bill requires the commissioner to adopt emergency rules to promulgate standards as required by the bill relating to COVID-19. Violations of Code chapter are subject to civil penalties in amounts not to exceed maximum amounts set by federal law.5, or of any regulations prescribed pursuant to Code chapter 88, if the violation caused death to any employee, is guilty of a serious misdemeanor for a first conviction and an aggravated misdemeanor for a subsequent conviction. A serious misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than one year and a fine of at least $430 but not more than $2,560. An aggravated misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than two years and a fine of at least $855 but not more than $8,540. The bill takes effect upon enactment.