The HERO Act, also known as Bill 118 hr 3671, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the aim of providing support and resources to frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill seeks to establish a comprehensive set of protections and benefits for essential workers who have been risking their health and safety to provide essential services during the pandemic.
Some key provisions of the HERO Act include:
1. Hazard pay for essential workers: The bill proposes providing hazard pay to essential workers who have been working on the frontlines during the pandemic. This would help compensate these workers for the increased risks they have faced while performing their jobs.
2. Personal protective equipment (PPE) for essential workers: The bill aims to ensure that essential workers have access to the necessary PPE to protect themselves from exposure to the virus. This includes masks, gloves, and other protective gear.
3. Paid sick leave for essential workers: The HERO Act seeks to guarantee paid sick leave for essential workers who need to take time off work due to illness or exposure to COVID-19. This would help ensure that workers can stay home and recover without facing financial hardship.
4. Workplace safety standards: The bill includes provisions to establish and enforce workplace safety standards to protect essential workers from exposure to COVID-19. This includes requirements for social distancing, sanitation, and other measures to prevent the spread of the virus in the workplace.
Overall, the HERO Act is aimed at providing essential workers with the support and protections they need to continue their important work during the pandemic. By addressing issues such as hazard pay, PPE, paid sick leave, and workplace safety standards, the bill seeks to ensure that essential workers are able to perform their jobs safely and effectively.