By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval, on a voice vote without a roll call, to a measure that would allow public safety personnel with impaired health, presumed to have been suffered in the line of duty, to submit an affidavit attesting that the member underwent a physical exam upon beginning his or her service as a law enforcement official, if their employer failed to maintain these records.

“Public safety personnel such as police officers and firefighters who are injured in the line of duty or develop illnesses related to their service shouldn’t be forced to navigate unnecessary red tape if their employer fails to maintain proper medical records,” said sponsor Sen. Paul Feeney (D-Foxborough). “This legislation will help relieve public safety officials of the undue burden of proving an occupational presumption when through no fault of their own, their medical records have been lost or damaged by their employing department.”