This bill establishes a presumption of accidental disability retirement for emergency medical technicians, firefighters, and police officers who are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease while enrolled in the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) and the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). It stipulates that if a member is diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, it will be presumed that the condition is work-related, provided they had passed a physical examination prior to enrollment that showed no evidence of the disease. This presumption shifts the burden of proof to the retirement system to demonstrate that the condition is due to willful negligence rather than employment duties.

Furthermore, the bill amends existing provisions regarding accidental disability retirement to incorporate this new presumption for Parkinson's disease. It maintains the requirement for members to provide documentation confirming they did not have the disease before enrollment, while also allowing the retirement system to determine the necessary documentation for verification. This legislative change aims to support first responders who may develop Parkinson's disease as a result of their work, ensuring they receive the benefits they are entitled to under the law. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 43:15A-43, 43:16A-7