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H 2969

An Act relative to clarifying the application of the heart bill

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Todd Smola

Massachusetts bill clarifying cardiac event benefits eligibility for public safety employees, affecting workers' compensation coverage for first responders.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 2969

Legislative bill overview

H 2969 seeks to clarify the application and interpretation of Massachusetts' "Heart Bill" — legislation that provides cardiac event benefits to public safety employees. The bill aims to resolve ambiguities in how existing heart disease presumption laws are applied to firefighters, police officers, and other first responders.

Why is this important

Public safety workers face occupational exposure to hazardous conditions that may increase cardiac disease risk. Clarifying the Heart Bill directly affects whether injured first responders can access workers' compensation benefits and health coverage for heart-related conditions, impacting both employee financial security and municipal liability costs.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of coverage: Disagreement over which specific job classifications and conditions should qualify for cardiac presumptions
  • Cost burden: Municipal employers and insurers may resist expanded benefits due to increased workers' compensation liability
  • Evidentiary standards: Disputes over what medical evidence is required to establish causation between employment and cardiac events versus natural disease progression

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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