An Act relative to disability or death caused by contagious diseases; presumption

This bill creates a legal presumption that police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel in Massachusetts who contract specific contagious diseases while on duty suffered those illnesses in the line of duty. It applies to conditions such as HIV, Hepatitis, Tuberculosis, and COVID-19, provided the individual passed a health exam upon joining the service that did not show signs of the disease. To qualify for benefits, the affected employee must have actively responded to calls during their service and must file a claim within five years of their last day of active duty. The law requires that the disease be linked to exposure to blood or body fluids, and it does not apply to common illnesses like the common cold.