Wrap: Republican Representative Todd Richardson says this legislation would provide workers compensation, while also protecting employers from lawsuits filed against them. 

He says the bill does nothing to prohibit employees from suing the manufacturer of the toxic substances. 

Opponent of the bill, Representative Jacob Hummel says his grandfather died of asbestos poisoning after working his whole life and calls attention to the insufficient compensation.  

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Description: "People's lives are worth more than five thousand dollars. A five thousand dollar death benefit is an insult that the people, that their lives have been ruined, their families have been ruined just for corporate profits."

The bill sponsor says an employee has two options: workers compensation and the ability to file a civil suit against the manufacturer. 

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Ashley Hartman. 

Wrap: Under the proposed bill, employers would be protected from lawsuits filed against them in cases regarding occupational diseases. 

Workers exposed to toxic chemicals, fumes, dusts, and other harmful substances that cause death or injury would be eligible to receive worker compensation from their employer. 

St. Louis City Democratic Representative Jacob Hummel says employees suffering from work-related injuries or death should be able to do more than just receive five thousand dollars in compensation. 

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Description: "They should have recourse in the courts for someone destroying their lives."

Representative Todd Richardson says the bill does nothing to prevent employees from taking civil action against manufacturers of these toxic substances. 

Governor Nixon vetoed a similar bill last year. 

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Ashley Hartman. 

Wrap: Workers diagnosed with occupational diseases would no longer be allowed to sue their employer for liability reasons.  

Last year, Governor Nixon vetoed this bill and said employees suffering from work-related diseases may seek redress by bringing civil action against their employer. 

Representative Todd Richardson says this bill would provide compensation for any worker injured on the job as well as their spouse and child if a minor. 

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Description: "Absolutely nothing in this bill, Mr. Speaker, prevents that employee from suing the manufacturer of the toxic substance."

Richardson says the bill makes the situation better for both employers and employees than it has been in the last eighty years. 

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Ashley Hartman.