2025 -- H 5372

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LC001305

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- RELIEF OF INJURED AND DECEASED FIRE

FIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS

     Introduced By: Representatives Craven, O'Brien, and Shanley

     Date Introduced: February 07, 2025

     Referred To: House Municipal Government & Housing

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 45-19-16.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-19 entitled "Relief of

Injured and Deceased Fire Fighters and Police Officers" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     45-19-16.1. Presumption for heart disease and hypertension.

     (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, any

firefighter or police officer, as defined in § 45-19-1, who is unable to perform the duties required

thereof because of an impairment of health caused by heart disease, stroke, or hypertension is

presumed to have suffered an in-the-line-of duty injury/disability, unless the contrary can be proven

by clear and convincing evidence; and the firefighter or police officer shall be entitled to all benefits

provided for in chapters 19, 21, 21.2, and 21.3 of this title.

     (b) This presumption shall not apply to firefighters or police officers hired after July 1,

2023 2025, in the following situations:

     (1) If a physical examination was conducted at the time the firefighter or police officer was

hired and the examination revealed that person was suffering from heart disease or hypertension.

     (2) If the firefighter or police officer had regularly or habitually used tobacco products

during the five (5) years prior to any diagnosis of heart disease or hypertension or suffering a stroke.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC001305

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- RELIEF OF INJURED AND DECEASED FIRE

FIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS

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     This act would add police officers to fire fighters who are unable to perform their duties as

a result of heart disease, stroke or hypertension, to be presumed to have suffered an in-the-line-of-

duty disability, unless the police officer was hired after July 1, 2025, and there is clear and

convincing evidence that the police officer suffered the condition at the time of hire or regularly

used tobacco products for the five (5) years prior to a diagnosis.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC001305

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