Under existing law, an employee who contracts an occupational disease arising out of and in the course of his or her employment is generally entitled to receive compensation under industrial insurance. (Chapter 617 of NRS) Existing law provides that certain diseases of the lungs and heart contracted by certain firefighters, arson investigators, volunteer firefighters and police officers are occupational diseases for which the employee is entitled to compensation under certain circumstances. Under existing law, an employee covered by those provisions is required to submit to a physical examination upon employment, upon commencement of coverage and periodically thereafter, the frequency of which depends on the age and occupation of the employee. (NRS 617.455, 617.457) Sections 2-4 of this bill revise requirements for the administering of such a physical examination for an employee who is not an employee in the Executive Department of the State Government. Effective July 1, 2026, section 2: (1) requires such a physical examination to be administered, when possible, by a licensed physician or advanced practice registered nurse who is knowledgeable about the physical demands of firefighting and law enforcement; and (2) sets forth various tests and examinations that such a physical examination must include. Under existing law, cancer contracted by certain firefighters, volunteer firefighters or certain other employees resulting in either temporary or permanent disability or death is an occupational disease and compensable under industrial insurance under certain circumstances. (NRS 617.453) Effective July 1, 2026, section 1 of this bill requires a firefighter, other than a firefighter who is an employee in the Executive Department of the State Government, or volunteer firefighter to submit to a cancer screening upon commencement of coverage, thereafter on an annual basis during his or her employment and, if provided by the employer, upon employment. Section 2 sets forth various requirements for the administration of such a cancer screening.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 617.453, 617.454, 617.455, 617.457
Reprint 1: 617.453, 617.454, 617.455, 617.457
Reprint 2: 617.453, 617.454, 617.455, 617.457
As Enrolled: 617.453, 617.454, 617.455, 617.457
BDR: 617.453, 617.454, 617.455, 617.457