HB 22-1313

House Bill 22-1313, which has been signed into law, addresses the housing requirements for agricultural workers during public health emergencies like COVID-19. It specifies that these requirements only apply during a statewide emergency related to communicable diseases and allows employers to follow alternative safety measures outlined by public health orders instead of strict existing rules. This bill affects agricultural employers and their employees, providing more flexibility in how they manage housing conditions during health crises. Since the bill is signed, it means these changes are now official state law.

Official Summary

The act clarifies that the housing requirements with which agricultural employers must comply during a public health emergency apply only during a statewide public health emergency that concerns COVID-19 or another communicable disease. The act allows an alternative to compliance with the existing housing requirements by authorizing a person engaged in agricultural employment to instead comply with alternative protections identified in a public health order issued by the department of public health and environment. The act authorizes the department of labor and employment to consult with the department of public health and environment concerning the enforcement of agricultural worker housing requirements. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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