PROVIDED SUMMARY
Disability Provisions for Firefighters and Law Enforcement and Correctional Officers; Defining the terms “employing agency” and “heart disease”; providing that a certain previously conducted physical examination satisfies a requirement for a presumption; authorizing law enforcement officers, correctional officers, and correctional probation officers, under a specified condition, to use a physical examination from a former employer for the purpose of claiming a specified presumption, etc.
Full bill text →
Plain English Summary
AI-GENERATED
Officers may use prior physical exams to claim disability benefits.
Officers changing jobs can now use a physical exam from their former employer to claim the line-of-duty disability presumption, provided their new agency did not require a new exam.
The bill adds a new definition for "heart disease" and "medical specialist" to the statute, standardizing how these terms are applied across the law.
It removes a blanket prohibition on using prior exams, replacing it with a specific condition that allows the practice only when the current agency skips the initial exam.
The bill also updates cross-references and renumbers several subsections to align with the new definitions and procedural changes.
KEY PROVISIONS
AIThe bill explicitly defines heart disease to include any abnormality of the heart, its structures, or coronary arteries, broadening the scope of the disability presumption.
“"Heart disease" means any organic, mechanical, or functional abnormality of the heart or its structures or of the coronary arteries.”
bill text, line 33 →
AIOfficers and firefighters with presumptive conditions may be treated by a medical specialist, subject to reimbursement limits and carrier authorization.
“a firefighter, law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or correctional probation officer requiring medical treatment for a compensable presumptive condition listed in”
bill text, line 57 →
AIIf an employing agency fails to maintain physical examination records for five years after separation, it is presumed the employee met the examination requirements.
“If the employing agency fails to maintain the records of the physical examination for the 5-year period after the employee's separation, it is presumed that the employee has met”
bill text, line 216 →
TIMELINE
3/13/2026
Died in Messages
2/19/2026
Immediately certified -SJ 356
2/19/2026
CS passed; YEAS 38 NAYS 0 -SJ 345
2/19/2026
Read 3rd time -SJ 345
2/19/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 345
2/18/2026
CS/CS by Appropriations read 1st time
2/17/2026
Placed on Special Order Calendar, 02/19/26
2/16/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
2/16/2026
Pending reference review -under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
2/12/2026
CS/CS by- Appropriations; YEAS 18 NAYS 0
2/9/2026
On Committee agenda-- Appropriations, 02/12/26, 9:00 am, 412 Knott Building
2/3/2026
Now in Appropriations
2/2/2026
Favorable by Governmental Oversight and Accountability; YEAS 9 NAYS 0
1/28/2026
On Committee agenda-- Governmental Oversight and Accountability,...
1/16/2026
Now in Governmental Oversight and Accountability
1/14/2026
CS by Community Affairs read 1st time
1/14/2026
Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
1/13/2026
CS by Community Affairs; YEAS 8 NAYS 0
1/8/2026
On Committee agenda-- Community Affairs, 01/13/26, 1:30 pm, 37...
11/17/2025
Referred to Community Affairs; Governmental Oversight and...
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STATUTES IT CHANGES
STAFF ANALYSES
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