SB 158

Abstract

Amends the Workers' Compensation Act and the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act. Provides that any condition or impairment of health of a firefighter, emergency medical technician, or paramedic that results directly or indirectly from any bloodborne pathogen, lung or respiratory disease or condition, heart or vascular disease or condition, hypertension, tuberculosis, or cancer resulting in any disability to the employee shall be conclusively presumed to arise out of and in the course of the employee's employment and shall be conclusively presumed to be causally connected to the hazards or exposures of the employment. Provides that the presumption shall also apply to any hernia or hearing loss suffered by a firefighter, emergency medical technician, or paramedic. Provides that the presumption does not apply to an employee who has been a firefighter, emergency medical technician, or paramedic for less than 5 years at the time the condition or impairment is discovered.