2023 -- S 0556
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LC002055
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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A N A C T
RELATING TO TOWNS AN D CITIES -- RELIEF OF INJURED AND DECEASED FIRE
FIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS
Introduced By: Senators F. Lombardi, Britto, Burke, and Ciccone
Date Introduced: March 07, 2023
Referred To: Senate Finance
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 45-19 of the General Laws entitled "Relief of Injured and Deceased 1
Fire Fighters and Police Officers" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 2
45-19-6.1. Presumption for heart disease and hypertension. 3
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, any police 4
officer, as defined in ยง 45-19-1, who is unable to perform the duties required thereof because of an 5
impairment of health caused by heart disease, stroke or hypertension is presumed to have suffered 6
an in-the-line-of-duty injury/disability, unless the contrary can be proven by clear and convincing 7
evidence; and the police officer shall be entitled to all benefits provided for in chapters 19, 21, 21.2 8
and 21.3 of this title. 9
(b) This presumption shall not apply to police hired after July 1, 2023 in the following 10
situations: 11
(1) If a physical examination was conducted at the time the police officer was hired and 12
the examination revealed that person was suffering from heart disease or hypertension; or 13
(2) If the police officer had regularly or habitually used tobacco products during the five 14
(5) years prior to any diagnosis of heart disease or hypertension or suffering a stroke. 15
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 16
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO TOWNS AN D CITIES -- RELIEF OF INJURED AND DECEASED FIRE
FIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS
***
This act would allow a police officer who is unable to perform duties as a result of heart 1
disease, stroke or hypertension to be presumed to have suffered an in-the-line-of-duty disability, 2
unless the police officer was hired after July 1, 2023, and there is clear and convincing evidence 3
that the police officer suffered the condition at the time of hire or regularly used tobacco products 4
for the five (5) years prior to diagnosis. 5
This act would take effect upon passage. 6
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