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. Section 2: (1) requires such a physical examination to be administered 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) Section 1 of this bill requires a firefighter or volunteer firefighter to submit to a cancer screening upon employment, upon commencement of coverage and thereafter on an annual basis during his or her 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
BDR: 617.453, 617.454, 617.455, 617.457