To amend title 5, United States Code, to include Parkinson's disease in the list of illnesses and diseases deemed to be proximately caused by employment in fire protection activities, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4453
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-16: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-06T09:07:06Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill, H.R. 4453, aims to expand federal workers' compensation protections for employees involved in fire protection activities by adding Parkinson's disease to a list of conditions presumed to result from such work. This presumption simplifies claims for benefits, as workers no longer need to prove a direct link between their job and the illness.
Key Provisions
- Amends section 8143b(b)(2) of title 5, United States Code, which governs presumptions of causation for certain illnesses in fire protection employment under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA).
- Redesignates existing subparagraphs (L) through (P) as (M) through (Q) to make room for the new addition.
- Inserts Parkinson's disease as a new subparagraph (L), treating it as proximately caused by fire protection duties (e.g., exposure to toxins or hazards during firefighting).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Previously, the law listed specific cancers, heart conditions, and lung diseases (subparagraphs A through K) as presumptively work-related for firefighters. This bill adds Parkinson's disease to that list for the first time.
- The change applies only to federal employees (not state or local), broadening the scope of automatic eligibility for disability or survivor benefits without requiring individual proof of causation.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) within the Department of Labor may see an increase in claims and payouts for Parkinson's-related disabilities among federal firefighters, potentially raising administrative and financial costs.
- On citizens: Federal firefighters and their families gain easier access to medical benefits, disability compensation, and survivor payments, improving support for those affected by occupational hazards.
- On international relations: No direct impact, as this is a domestic federal employment policy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal firefighters and fire protection employees: Primary beneficiaries, including those in agencies like the National Park Service, military bases, or federal wildland fire operations, who may now qualify for benefits more readily.
- Families of affected workers: Eligible for survivor benefits if a worker dies from the condition.
- U.S. Department of Labor (OWCP): Responsible for processing and funding claims, facing potential workload increases.
- Taxpayers: Indirectly affected through federal budget allocations for compensation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens FECA by aligning it with growing scientific evidence linking firefighting exposures (e.g., smoke and chemicals) to Parkinson's, reducing litigation over causation. It does not alter due process rights but shifts the burden of proof away from claimants.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; it upholds equal protection by extending benefits to a specific occupational group exposed to unique risks.
- Political: Bipartisan support (introduced by representatives from both parties) highlights consensus on public safety worker protections. It could set a precedent for adding other diseases, influencing future labor and health policy debates, and may encourage similar state-level reforms.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (11)
Rep. Houchin, Erin [R-IN-9], Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16]
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-16: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2025-07-16: Introduced in House
- 2025-07-16: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To amend title 5, United States Code, to include Parkinson’s disease in the list of illnesses and diseases deemed to be proximately caused by employment in fire protection activities, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-07-16 — PDF (2 pages)