This bill amends existing workers' compensation law to provide a presumption of compensability for public safety workers who developed illnesses, injuries, or died as a result of their participation in the response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Specifically, it establishes that any illness or injury caused by exposure to known carcinogens or cancer-causing substances during their employment will be presumed compensable, provided the worker can demonstrate exposure and that the condition manifested during their employment. Additionally, the bill allows for the presumption of compensability for any World Trade Center-related health conditions certified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, regardless of when the claim is filed, as long as the worker is part of the World Trade Center Health Program.

The bill also includes provisions for filing claims, requiring public safety workers to submit documentation of their illness and treatment from the World Trade Center Health Program within two years of the bill's effective date. It mandates that the Department of Labor and Workforce Development notify employers and the public about the presumption established in the bill. This legislation aims to ensure that those who bravely responded to the September 11 attacks and later suffered health consequences receive the necessary workers' compensation benefits, addressing gaps in coverage for certain workers who may not have qualified under previous criteria.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 34:15-31.7