Bill > H2842

This bill proposes to expand the existing heart law presumption, which is a legal provision that helps certain public safety officers who become disabled due to heart disease, to include additional categories of law enforcement personnel. Specifically, the bill amends Section 94 of chapter 32 of the Massachusetts General Laws to add police officers from the University of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Port Authority, state universities and community colleges, the office of environmental law enforcement, and campus police of the Department of Mental Health to the list of public safety personnel who are eligible for this presumption. The heart law presumption typically means that if a qualified police officer develops heart disease, it is presumed to be job-related, which can help the officer more easily obtain disability benefits or workers' compensation. By expanding the list of covered police forces, the bill aims to provide equity and fairness to more POST-certified (Peace Officer Standards and Training) police officers who may become disabled due to cardiac disease in the line of duty.

Budget and Finance, Labor and Employment

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2842