2017 -- S 0772

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LC002425

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- FIREFIGHTER DISABILITY

     Introduced By: Senators Lombardi, Ciccone, Felag, Doyle, and Miller

     Date Introduced: April 12, 2017

     Referred To: Senate Labor

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 45-19 of the General Laws entitled "Relief of Injured and Deceased

Fire Fighters and Police Officers" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     45-19-16.1. Presumption of cardiovascular disability in the line of firefighting duty.

     Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, any

firefighter, as defined in §45-19-l, who is unable to perform their duties in the fire department

because of an impairment of health caused by hypertension, stroke or heart disease, is presumed

to have suffered an in-the-line-of-duty disability, as a result of the inhalation of noxious fumes or

poisonous gases, physically demanding work, traumatic stress, and related factors associated with

firefighting; provided however, that the person benefiting from the presumption had passed a

physical examination upon entry into service, which failed to reveal any evidence of the

condition.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC002425

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- FIREFIGHTER DISABILITY

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     This act would create a work disabling presumption for any firefighter who passed a

physical examination upon entry into service and who later contracts disabling hypertension,

stroke, or heart disease.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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