House Bill 466 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Allen TreadawayRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Firefighters; to include Parkinson's Disease in occupational diseases to be compensated for death and disability

Summary

HB466 would add Parkinson's disease to the list of firefighter occupational diseases eligible for disability and death benefits, with new eligibility rules and a employment-based presumption.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the bill adds Parkinson's disease to the diseases covered for firefighter benefits. It creates a presumption that Parkinson's disease arising during employment is linked to exposure to a toxin associated with higher Parkinson's risk, making benefits available for disability or death; the city or state would generally pay these benefits as they do for other occupational diseases. It also sets eligibility rules requiring at least three years of service and a qualifying entry exam (or applicable historical exceptions), and it makes non-substantive technical updates to the code.

Who It Affects

• Municipal fire departments and their firefighters who develop Parkinson's disease that is connected to their work, potentially qualifying for disability benefits or for benefits to dependents upon death.
• State fire service employees and their dependents who would receive disability or death benefits if Parkinson's disease is shown to be occupationally related.
• Fire departments and state agencies that administer and fund these benefits.

Key Provisions

• Adds Parkinson's disease to the list of firefighter's occupational diseases eligible for disability or death benefits.
• Creates a presumption that Parkinson's disease, arising during the period of employment and due to exposure to a toxin associated with increased risk, is connected to the firefighter's work.
• Defines qualifying eligibility: at least three years of service and a successful entry physical exam; if an entry exam was not required, three years of continuous service with historical date-based eligibility; an exam completed by January 1, 2013 also qualifies some firefighters.
• Benefits for qualifying firefighters (disability or death) are the same as other service-connected firefighter benefits under the relevant laws.
• The act includes technical revisions to update code language and remove duplicative text.
• Effective date: October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 17, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Elderly & Disabled Persons