Minnesota Session Laws - 2008, Regular Session

CHAPTER 248--H.F.No. 3569

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 general fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for a comprehensive science and evidence-based study of workers' lung health. 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 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 TRANSFER. new text end

new text begin By June 30, 2008, the commissioner of finance shall transfer $4,900,000 in assets of the workers' compensation assigned risk plan created under Minnesota Statutes, section 79.252, to the general fund. new text end

Sec. 3.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This act is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Presented to the governor April 24, 2008

Signed by the governor April 28, 2008, 4:31 p.m.