DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 235 Original 2020 Regular Session Brass
Abstract: Provides benefits related to infirmity of heart or lungs developed as a result of
employment and provides for financial security upon death by heart attack or stroke for
surviving spouses and children of law enforcement officers.
Present law provides that any disease or infirmity of the heart or lungs which develops during a
period of employment in the classified fire service in this state shall be classified as a disease or
infirmity connected with employment.
Proposed law retains present law and adds law enforcement service.
Present law provides an irrebuttable presumption that a fireman whose death is the direct and
proximate result of a heart attack or a stroke died as the direct and proximate result of an injury
sustained in the performance of his official duties, thereby making his survivors eligible for payment
pursuant to present law.
Present law also provides that if, while on duty, the fireman engages in a stressful or physical
activity, including emergency response activity, or participates in a stressful or strenuous physical
training exercise and the heart attack or stroke occurs while he is engaged in the activity, while he
is on duty after engaging in the activity, or no later than 24 hours after the activity, and whose death
is the direct and proximate result of a heart attack or stroke, then present law provides a presumption
that the fireman died as the direct and proximate result of an injury sustained in the performance of
his official duties for certain purposes in present law.
Proposed law retains present law and adds law enforcement officers.
(Amends R.S. 33:2581 and 40:1665.1(A), (C), and (D))