AL SB424

Eliminates time limitations for filing disability or death benefit claims by firefighters and law enforcement officers for occupational diseases, with a two-year deadline from accrual of the claim.

For claims filed more than 10 years after last employment, the claimant must provide evidence that disability or death was proximately caused by the occupational disease; the burden-shifting presumption does not apply.

Allows previously denied claimants who filed after leaving employment to resubmit claims without regard to prior time limitations.

Covered occupational diseases include hypertension, heart disease, respiratory disease, cancer, HIV/AIDS, and hepatitis contracted during service.

Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.