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Bill

S 3557

Provides a heart disease presumption for correction officers, correction supervisors, deputy sheriff patrol or deputy sheriff patrol supervisors

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Pete Harckham and 1 co-sponsor

Bill S 3557 allows correction officers and deputy sheriffs to claim heart disease as work-related, simplifying access to benefits for these at-risk law enforcement personnel.

REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 3557

Summary of Bill S 3557

Bill Overview

  • Bill Number: S 3557
  • Title: Provides a heart disease presumption for correction officers, correction supervisors, deputy sheriff patrol, or deputy sheriff patrol supervisors
  • Status: Reported and Committed to Finance
  • Introduced: January 28, 2025
  • Classification: Legislative Bill

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of Bill S 3557 is to establish a presumption that heart disease is an occupational disease for certain law enforcement personnel, specifically correction officers, correction supervisors, deputy sheriff patrol, and deputy sheriff patrol supervisors. This presumption aims to facilitate access to benefits for these individuals who may develop heart disease as a result of their work-related duties.

Key Provisions

  • Heart Disease Presumption: The bill stipulates that if a correction officer or deputy sheriff develops heart disease, it will be presumed to be work-related unless proven otherwise. This presumption is intended to simplify the process for affected personnel to claim benefits.
  • Eligibility: The presumption applies specifically to:
    • Correction Officers
    • Correction Supervisors
    • Deputy Sheriff Patrol
    • Deputy Sheriff Patrol Supervisors

Impact

  • Affected Individuals: The bill directly impacts correction officers and deputy sheriffs, providing them with a more straightforward path to claim benefits related to heart disease. This change acknowledges the physical and mental demands of their roles, which may contribute to health issues.
  • Financial Implications: While the bill does not specify exact financial allocations, the establishment of a presumption may lead to increased claims for benefits, potentially impacting state and local budgets allocated for law enforcement health benefits.

Legislative Actions

  • January 28, 2025: Bill was introduced and referred to the Committee on Civil Service and Pensions.
  • February 11, 2025: Bill was reported out of committee and committed to the Finance Committee for further consideration.

Related Bills

  • S 8558 (prior-session)
  • S 8780 (prior-session)
  • S 5027 (prior-session)
  • A 4943 (companion bill)

Conclusion

Bill S 3557 seeks to provide critical support to correction officers and deputy sheriffs by recognizing heart disease as an occupational hazard. By establishing a presumption of work-relatedness, the bill aims to ease the burden of proof for affected individuals seeking benefits, thereby acknowledging the risks associated with their demanding roles in law enforcement. The bill is currently under consideration in the Finance Committee following its reporting from the Civil Service and Pensions Committee.

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

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