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Committee backs bill presuming Parkinson’s disease as occupational for firefighters under specified conditions
Summary
House Bill 359 would add Parkinson's disease to the list of compensable occupational diseases for firefighters if the firefighter demonstrates workplace exposure to a known toxin; the committee gave the bill a favorable report.
House Bill 359, introduced by Representative Treadway, would add Parkinson’s disease to the list of occupational diseases for firefighters eligible for death or disability compensation when specific conditions are met.
Representative Treadway told the committee that the key provision (on page 3, line 75 of the bill text) creates a rebuttable presumption: if Parkinson’s disease manifests while a firefighter is in service and the firefighter demonstrates exposure while employed to a known toxin associated with increased Parkinson’s risk, then Parkinson’s disease shall be presumed to have arisen out of and in the course of employment. The sponsor said that if a firefighter can show exposure during the period of municipal service, he or she should be compensated.
Committee members offered no recorded opposition in the hearing transcript; the committee moved the bill and issued a favorable report.
Ending: The bill advances with a favorable committee report; implementation details (definitions of "known toxin" and evidentiary standards) will be determined in subsequent drafting and rulemaking if the bill proceeds.
