The 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 that the member had passed a physical examination prior to enrollment that showed no evidence of the disease. This presumption aims to support first responders by recognizing the potential link between their occupational duties and the onset of Parkinson's disease.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the documentation required by the retirement system to confirm that the member did not have Parkinson's disease before joining. This legislative change is intended to simplify the process for eligible members seeking disability retirement benefits due to Parkinson's disease, ensuring they receive the necessary support based on their service-related health challenges. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

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