HF 3448 Summary

• Changes the definition of "communicable disease" from "excluding" to "including" specific disease types such as viral hemorrhagic fevers, severe acute respiratory syndromes, pandemic influenza, bioterrorism-caused diseases, and diseases published in presidential executive orders.

• Expands the definition of "qualifying employee" to include persons who have responsibility for the care of someone under isolation or quarantine, in addition to those personally subject to isolation or quarantine.

• Prohibits employers from discharging, disciplining, threatening, or penalizing qualifying employees because they are in isolation or quarantine, or because they care for a minor or disabled/vulnerable adult family member in isolation or quarantine.

• Allows qualifying employees to file civil lawsuits for lost wages, benefits, reinstatement, or other relief within 180 days of a claimed violation or end of isolation/quarantine, whichever is later, with prevailing employees entitled to reasonable attorney fees.

• Clarifies that these protections do not alter existing sick leave or sick pay terms in employment agreements.