Sponsors (2)
The bill makes it materially easier and faster for federal firefighters to obtain disability benefits for Parkinson's disease by creating a presumption and simplifying claims, while imposing modest new costs on federal benefit programs and risking precedent that could broaden future eligibility and complicate administration.
Federal firefighters and other federal fire-protection employees gain a presumption that Parkinson's disease is work-related, making it easier and faster for them to obtain disability and other federal benefits by shifting the burden of proof away from claimants.
Benefit determinations for Parkinson's-related claims will be simplified and expedited, reducing administrative burden on applicants and speeding access to compensation.
Minor clerical corrections (spacing, heading) improve statutory clarity, reducing confusion for agencies and claimants who reference the provision.
Expanding presumptive coverage for Parkinson's disease will likely increase federal benefits costs, creating fiscal pressure on federal benefit programs and potentially increasing costs to taxpayers.
Creating this presumption may set a precedent that encourages future additions to presumptive conditions, broadening eligibility beyond original intent and complicating benefit administration.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Adds Parkinson’s disease to the list of illnesses presumed to be caused by fire protection employment under federal workers’ compensation law.
Adds Parkinson’s disease to the list of illnesses that are presumed to be caused by employment in fire protection activities under the federal workers’ compensation statute, making it easier for covered firefighters to obtain benefits for that condition. Also corrects minor spacing/formatting issues and shifts lettering of existing subparagraphs to accommodate the insertion. The change updates 5 U.S.C. § 8143b(b) to insert Parkinson’s disease as a covered condition for the occupational-disease presumption for firefighters, without creating new appropriations or broad regulatory changes.
Official title: 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.
Introduced June 2, 2026 by James E. Banks · Last progress June 2, 2026