Bill > S1434

This bill proposes to amend Chapter 32 of the General Laws to establish a presumption for public safety personnel who contract methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a type of bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics. Specifically, if a uniformed member of a paid fire department, a permanent member of a police department (including the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority police, state police, and public works building police), certain employees in correctional facilities who care for prisoners, crash crewmen at Logan Airport, members of the Massachusetts military reservation fire department, or EMS first responders or emergency medical technicians develops a health condition due to MRSA that results in disability or death, it will be presumed to have occurred in the line of duty. This presumption applies if the individual passed a physical examination upon entering service or later, and that examination did not show any signs of the condition, unless evidence proves otherwise. This aims to provide these public safety professionals with benefits related to their service if they contract this serious infection.