The bill amends the Worker's Disability Compensation Act of 1969 to expand the definition of "personal injury" to include respiratory and heart diseases for specific categories of employees, including full-time members of fire departments, police departments, and county medical examiners. It establishes that these conditions are presumed to arise out of employment, provided they develop during active service and result from job-related duties. Additionally, the bill introduces provisions for cancer claims, allowing full-time, part-time, and volunteer members of fire departments and public fire authorities to claim benefits from the Christopher R. Slezak first responder presumed coverage fund for various types of cancer diagnosed after January 1, 2022, and outlines the conditions under which claims may be suspended.

Furthermore, the bill creates a structured process for managing the Christopher R. Slezak first responder presumed coverage fund, including the development of application procedures and annual reporting requirements to ensure transparency and accountability. It specifies that the fund will cover claims for respiratory and heart diseases as well as certain cancers, and it mandates that the fund's director notify the legislature if the fund is at risk of becoming insufficient to cover future claims. The amendments also clarify that eligibility for pension benefits does not preclude employees from receiving additional benefits for medical expenses not covered by their pension program.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 418.405