MI HB5180

Expands the definition of "personal injury" under workers' compensation to include injuries or illnesses from infectious disease exposure for essential workers during a governor-declared state of emergency or health department epidemic control order

Defines "essential workers" as individuals required to work during emergencies because they are considered necessary to sustain or protect life or conduct minimum operations while nonessential businesses are ordered closed

Creates a presumption that infectious disease injuries for essential workers arise out of and in the course of employment, absent evidence to the contrary

Applies retroactively to personal injuries occurring on or after March 10, 2020 (the start of Michigan's COVID-19 emergency declarations)

Requires essential workers claiming benefits to first apply for any pension benefits they may be entitled to, or demonstrate ineligibility, before filing a workers' compensation claim