Bill > S1914

This bill amends existing Massachusetts law to create a presumption that Parkinson's Disease resulting in disability or death for certain firefighters, state police, and airport fire personnel is a line-of-duty condition. Specifically, if an affected employee passed a physical examination that did not reveal the disease and successfully worked in a qualifying position, their Parkinson's-related disability or death would be presumed to be job-related unless clear evidence proves otherwise. To qualify, an employee must have served at least five years in a relevant position and regularly responded to fire calls or investigations. The bill covers uniformed firefighters, state police in fire investigation and K9 units, airport fire personnel, and fire department members at specific military bases. Employees must have been actively serving within five years prior to the law's effective date, and the presumption does not apply to those with fewer than five years of service. The bill also makes technical amendments to cross-reference the new provisions in existing retirement system laws, ensuring that these new provisions will apply across all relevant retirement systems in Massachusetts.

Budget and Finance, Labor and Employment

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1914