SF 3300

2nd Engrossment - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to workers' health; directing the University of Minnesota to study
workers' health including lung health; appropriating money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATION; UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA WORKERS'
HEALTH STUDY.
new text end

new text begin (a) $4,900,000 in fiscal year 2008 is appropriated from the workers' compensation
special fund under Minnesota Statutes, section 176.129, to the Board of Regents
of the University of Minnesota for the purposes of this section. Notwithstanding
Minnesota Statutes, section 176.129, subdivision 6, the appropriation must be used for
a comprehensive science and evidence-based study of workers' lung health of workers
associated with the taconite industry. The university, as the lead agency, must develop,
conduct and coordinate the study in partnership with the Department of Health, the
Department of Natural Resources, the Pollution Control Agency, business and industry,
local health providers and organizations, other affected groups, and other state, federal,
and local agencies. This is a onetime appropriation that does not cancel and is available
until expended.
new text end

new text begin (b) At a minimum, the study funded under this section must include industry-specific
worker mortality and morbidity studies, clinical disease studies, exposure assessments,
case-control screening of current and former workers, and environmental studies that
assess health impacts on workers and communities. The university must begin the
studies in 2008 and complete them no later than December 31, 2013. The university, in
conjunction with its partners in the workers' health study, must report annually to the
committees of the legislature with responsibility for health and workers' safety until the
study is completed. Each annual report must present the preliminary findings of the
workers' health studies and recommendations based on those findings.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Section 1 is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end