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Bill

S 1663

Makes provisions permanent relating to disability due to disease or malfunction of the heart or coronary arteries

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Pete Harckham and 7 co-sponsors

S 1663 - Makes provisions permanent relating to disability due to disease or malfunction of the heart or coronary arteries OverviewBill Number: S 1663 Title: Makes provisions perm

REFERRED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT
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Bill Summary · S 1663

S 1663 - Makes provisions permanent relating to disability due to disease or malfunction of the heart or coronary arteries

Overview

Bill Number: S 1663
Title: Makes provisions permanent relating to disability due to disease or malfunction of the heart or coronary arteries
Status: REFERRED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Introduced: May 07, 2025

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of this bill is to make permanent certain provisions related to disability benefits for public safety officers who suffer from heart or coronary artery disease. Currently, these benefits are set to expire, and this legislation aims to ensure ongoing coverage and support for affected workers.

Key Provisions

  • Makes permanent the presumption that heart or coronary artery disease in public safety officers is an occupational disease, entitling them to disability benefits
  • Extends this presumption to include all public safety officers, not just those hired before a certain date
  • Removes the current 60-month time limit on the presumption, making it apply for the duration of the officer's employment
  • Requires employers to provide disability benefits for the full duration of the officer's disability, rather than a capped number of years
  • Shifts the burden of proof to the employer to show the disease was not work-related, rather than the officer having to prove causation

Affected Parties and Impacts

This bill would primarily impact current and future public safety officers, such as police, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. By making the disability benefits permanent and expanding eligibility, it would provide greater job security and financial protection for these workers if they develop heart or coronary artery disease.

Employers of public safety officers, such as state and local governments, would also be affected by the changes. They would be required to provide more comprehensive and long-term disability benefits, which could increase their costs and budgetary obligations.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

The bill has been referred to the Senate Local Government Committee for further consideration. If it passes committee, it would then need to be approved by the full Senate and House of Representatives before being sent to the Governor for signature or veto.

Given the bipartisan support for supporting public safety officers, the bill has a reasonable chance of advancing through the legislative process. However, the potential increased costs to state and local governments may face some opposition, so the final outcome remains to be seen.

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

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