LAS VEGAS — Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo signed a bill aimed at getting first responders the medical coverage they need, FOX 5 reported.
Senate Bill 7 affirms “conclusive presumption,” an acknowledgement of the lung disease risks associated with fire service and law enforcement. “Conclusive presumption,” which was written into state law in 1989, states that first responders with two or more years of service are presumed to have been exposed to hazardous chemicals.
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The bill was included in a special legislative session on Nov. 29 following a recent Nevada Supreme Court ruling, which had required first responders to prove specific exposure incidents in order to receive coverage.
“[Senate Bill 7] preserves the rights for volunteer firefighters, restores fairness for professional firefighters, police officers, and reaffirms Nevada’s promise to those who we protect,” said Ryan Beaman, representing the Professional Firefighters of Nevada.
Opponents of the bill expressed concerns over the costs of the change, according to the report.
