Bill > S1681

This bill amends the General Laws of Massachusetts to provide a presumption that Parkinson's disease resulting in disability or death for certain public safety personnel, such as firefighters and state police assigned to fire investigation or K9 units, was suffered in the line of duty, unless it can be shown that non-service-related factors caused the condition. The bill applies to those who have served in these positions for at least 5 years and have passed a physical exam upon entry that did not reveal the condition. The provisions also extend to certain airport and military fire department personnel. The bill clarifies that these new presumptions do not affect the interpretation of existing disability and death benefits under state law.