SB 710 - This act provides that if, preceding the date of injury or death, an employee who is on active duty as a first responder is diagnosed with a mental impairment and such person was not previously diagnosed such an impairment, then the impairment shall presumptively be considered an occupational disease and shall be presumed to have arisen out of and in the course of employment. This presumption may be rebutted by the employer or insurer.

One or more compensable mental impairment claims arising out of a single accident shall constitute a single injury. Furthermore, a mental impairment shall not be considered an occupational disease if it results from a disciplinary action, work evaluation, job transfer, layoff, demotion, promotion, termination, retirement, or similar action taken in good faith by the employer.

This act is identical to a provision in SCS/HB 1559 (2020) and substantially similar to HB 1739 (2020), HB 1965 (2020), and SB 281 (2019).

SCOTT SVAGERA

Statutes affected:
Introduced (3999S.01): 287.067, 287.069

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Senate Committee Minutes:
SENATE COMMITTEE MINUTES Bill No.: SB 710
Sponsor: Eigel
Hearing Date: 2/4/2020


COMMITTEE: General Laws

CHAIRMAN: Eigel

DATE REFERRED: 1/30/2020 DATE HEARING REQUESTED:



STAFF:
Jim Ertle
Denia Fields
Jacob Scott


WITNESSES GIVING INFORMATION:
Richard Brownlee - Missouri Insurance Coalition, National Council on Compensation Insurance
Patrick Bonnot - MIRMA


WITNESSES FOR:
David Dotson - Pattonville Fire Protection District
Thomas Vineyard - O'Fallon Fire Districy
Jason Marren - Professional Firefighters of Eastern Missouri
Ben Chlapek - Mid-America Regional Council and Missouri EMS Association
Jeff Sadtler - West County EMS & Fire Protection District
P. Michael Snider - Missouri Fire Service Alliance
Trent Ford - Ambulance District Association of MO
Brent Hemphill - Missouri Ambulance Association
D. Scott Penman - MO 911 Directors Association, MO Chapter of National Emergency Number Association, MO
Chapter of Public Safety Communications Officials
Kevin Merritt - Missouri Sheriffs' Association
Arnie Dienoff - Individual


WITNESSES AGAINST:
Mike Winter - MO Self Insurers Association
Richard Sheets - Missouri Municipal League