HB4321 Summary

• Establishes a rebuttable presumption that police officers and firefighters who contracted COVID-19 between March 9, 2020 and June 30, 2021 were infected in the performance of duty, making them eligible for disability pensions.

• Requires documented evidence of COVID-19 infection through a confirmed positive laboratory test, COVID-19 antibodies test, or diagnosis from a licensed medical professional.

• Exempts officers and firefighters from the presumption if they were on leave or not required to report for duty for 14 or more consecutive days immediately before contracting COVID-19.

• Applies retroactively to March 9, 2020, allowing previously denied disability pension claims to be reconsidered for those who meet the eligibility criteria.

• Specifies that the State is not required to reimburse municipalities for implementing this mandate under the State Mandates Act.