BILL NUMBER: S8376
SPONSOR: BYNOE
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the volunteer firefighters' benefit law, in relation to
a presumption for Parkinson's disease; and providing for the repeal of
such provisions upon expiration thereof
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill would make it easier for volunteer firefighters to receive
Volunteer Firefighter Benefits Law coverage for Parkinson's disease.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends the Volunteer Firefighters' Benefits Law by adding a
new section 11-d that establishes presumptive evidence related to
Parkinson's disease. Following a passed physical entrance exam, any
subsequent condition or impairment of health caused by Parkinson's
disease resulting in total or partial disability or death to a volunteer
firefighter would be presumed to be line of duty related.
Section 2 provides the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
The increased use of plastics and other chemical compounds over the last
several decades has drastically increased the types of exposure fire-
fighters face when combatting fires. Recent research suggests that
ingestion of certain toxins has increasingly been linked to the diagno-
sis of Parkinson's disease, and according to a study conducted by the
Neurotoxin Institute, Parkinson's disease rates are higher among volun-
teer firefighters than in the general population.
Chapter 704 of the Laws of 2021 provided a presumption with respect to
Parkinson's disease that results in death or disability to paid fire-
fighters. This legislation would provide the same presumption for volun-
teer firefighters.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
This is a new bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined.