Relating to police officers and fire fighters concerning civil service entrance evaluations and benefits for members of the municipal fire and police retirement system

The bill also amends the definition of “member in good standing” to mean any member in service who has not been terminated by the employing city of the member.6(5), concerning accidental disability benefits, is amended to strike the requirement that a member be a member in good standing to apply for accidental disability benefits and allow an ordinary disability beneficiary to make application to the retirement system for an accidental disability retirement benefit. The subsection is further amended to provide that a person is entitled to an accidental disability retirement if the person has become totally and permanently incapacitated as a result of injury and disease arising out of and in the course of the employment and by the actual performance of duty without regard to whether that actual performance of duty was at some definite time and place. The subsection is also amended to provide that a mental injury based on a manifest happening of a sudden traumatic nature from an unexpected cause or unusual strain may be established irrespective of similar effects on other members.6(6), providing for a retirement allowance upon retirement for accidental disability, is amended to provide that an ordinary disability beneficiary who is determined to be entitled to a retirement for accidental disability on or after July 1, 2023, shall receive a retirement allowance that shall consist of the greater of an amount as determined for members receiving an accidental disability retirement or an amount equal to the disability retirement allowance previously received by the beneficiary.6(9), concerning accidental death benefits, is amended to provide that an accidental death benefit shall also be paid if the death was as a result of injury and disease arising out of and in the course of the employment or by the actual performance of duty.19, or other comparable process. The bill provides for the repayment of benefits paid prior to the determination of ineligibility.55 percent of pay beginning July 1, 2023.15, concerning cities’ requirement to provide hospitalization and medical attention for injuries or diseases while on duty, is amended to provide that such attention shall also be provided for injuries arising out of and in the course of employment.6(6). The Code section also provides that disease for purposes of providing medical attention under this Code section shall mean heart disease, any disease of the lungs or respiratory tract, and cancer or infectious disease, all of which shall be presumed to have been contracted while on active duty. The Code section is further amended to provide that a member shall not be required to pay the cost of hospital, nursing, and medical attention required, including payment of any costs or premiums associated with any insurance policy providing coverage. The bill further provides that to be provided the cost of the hospital, nursing, and medical attention, the city shall have actual knowledge of the occurrence of an injury or disease or be provided notice of the occurrence of an injury or disease on behalf of a member or beneficiary within days from the date of the occurrence of the injury or disease. The bill provides that an action to require the city to provide the cost of the medical attention shall not be maintained unless the action is commenced before the later of two years from the date of the occurrence of the injury or disease or two years from the date the city denies a claim to provide medical attention.6(5), the bill provides that the cost of the medical attention shall not be maintained unless the action is commenced within three years from the last date of employment of the member.