Bill > S1636

This bill establishes a presumption that a contagious disease resulting in disability or death of a full-time uniformed member of a paid police department, fire department, or municipal emergency medical service was suffered in the line of duty, provided the member passed a physical examination on entry or subsequent to entry that did not reveal the condition. The presumption can be rebutted if it is shown by a preponderance of the evidence that non-service-connected risk factors or accidents caused the incapacity. The bill applies to conditions like COVID-19, Hepatitis, Tuberculosis, HIV, and other contagious diseases found to have a statistically significant correlation with these professions. Eligible members must have regularly responded to calls during their service, and the benefits, if granted, are payable from the last date of regular compensation.