HB2480 Summary

• Adds Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) to the list of conditions creating a rebuttable presumption of work-related origin for firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics under the Workers' Compensation Act and Workers' Occupational Diseases Act.

• Establishes that the rebuttable presumption is a strong presumption intended to shift the burden of proof to the employing entity, requiring clear and convincing evidence to overcome it.

• Requires parties challenging the presumption to prove by clear and convincing evidence an independent, non-work-related cause and that no aspect of employment contributed to the condition.

• Exempts firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics from hearing loss exposure threshold limitations, allowing hearing loss claims without meeting the industrial noise exposure requirements in Section 7(f).

• Applies changes retroactively to matters arising on and after January 1, 2008, and takes effect immediately upon becoming law.