Relates to impairments of health, presumption and staph/MRSA

BILL NUMBER:S2236

Title of bill

An act to amend the retirement and social security law, in relation to impairments of health, presumption and staph/MRSA

Purpose or general idea of bill

This bill intends to provide to police officers and firefighters a proper pension in case of employment related disabilities associated with MRSA.

Summary of specific provisions

This bill would provide a 75% accidental disability benefit for police officers and firefighters provide the assumption that methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus was contracted in the line of duty.

Effects of present lan which this bill would alter

Presently, police officers' and firefighters who suffer employment related disabilities such as tuberculosis, hepatitis, or HIV are able to receive a three quarters accidental disability benefit. This legislation would extend such a benefit to those police officers and firefighters who contract methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus.

Justification

Due to the increased exposure which police officers and firefighters have to those individuals who have methicillin resist--ant staphylococcus aureus and to protect the families of those police officers and firefighters who are so exposed, a presumption that the individual is disabled from the performance of duties is warranted. The retirement system has the burden of proving otherwise. This legislation would deem such exposure as an accident so that the member would be, eligible for three-quarters of their final average salary. There can be no dispute that such protection is more than warranted.

Prior legislative history

S.3785B of 2013: Passed Senate S.3785 of 2014: Passed Senate

Fiscal implications for state and local governments

See fiscal note.

Effective date

Immediately.