Senate Bill 332 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Merika ColemanSenator

Democrat

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

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

Summary

SB332 would add Parkinson's disease to the firefighter occupational diseases eligible for disability and death benefits, with a presumption that the disease arises from employment if the firefighter was exposed to a toxin linked to Parkinson's.

What This Bill Does

It expands benefits to Parkinson's disease for both city and state firefighters. It creates a presumption that Parkinson's disease is connected to employment if the firefighter was exposed to a known toxin linked to the disease, making it compensable, and it updates the related definitions and eligibility rules. It also retains existing rules for other occupational diseases, including a higher burden of proof to disqualify for certain conditions like cancer, heart disease, hypertension, and respiratory disease, and it becomes effective October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• City firefighters who may develop Parkinson's disease as an occupational disease and become eligible for disability or death benefits, with the new presumption of work-relatedness upon toxin exposure.
• State firefighters who may develop Parkinson's disease as an occupational disease and become eligible for disability or death benefits, with the new presumption of work-relatedness upon toxin exposure.

Key Provisions

• Parkinson's disease is added to the list of firefighter's occupational diseases in both municipal and state law sections.
• A presumption is created that Parkinson's disease arising in a firefighter is due to employment if the firefighter was exposed to a known toxin linked to increased Parkinson's risk, making the disease compensable.
• For other occupational diseases (cancer, heart disease, hypertension, respiratory disease), the city or state must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the condition was caused by non-occupational factors to disqualify the firefighter.
• Eligibility rules for benefits include requirements related to entry physical examinations and a minimum of three years of service, with transitional provisions for prior entrants.
• Benefits for Parkinson's disease follow the same framework as other firefighter disability or death benefits when the condition is recognized as occupational.
• The act updates and aligns definitions and language across Sections 11-43-144, 36-30-40, and 36-30-41 and makes nonsubstantive technical revisions.
• Effective date set: October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 26, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Elderly & Disabled Persons