A new piece of legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, would extend paid leave to health care workers who contract COVID-19 and protect hospitals and other medical providers from certain lawsuits during the COVID-19 emergency declaration.

The Families First Coronavirus Relief Act currently covers paid leave for a handful of reasons for health care workers, but does not include leave for those who contract the virus.

Kelly introduced the Essential Workforce Parity Act on July 9 in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Our doctors and nurses are on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic, risking their own health to treat the worst cases of COVID-19,” Kelly said in a recent news release. “The Essential Workforce Parity Act will guarantee that our health care heroes are treated fairly if they get sick while also ensuring their primary focus can be on helping patients, not fighting lawsuits.”

Read more in Wednesday's Butler Eagle.