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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Todd Eachus |
  
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Eachus measure to protect law enforcement officers passes the House
HARRISBURG, June 23 -- State Rep. Todd Eachus, D-Luzerne, said the House unanimously approved his legislation to protect more law enforcement officers under the state law that enables emergency responders infected with hepatitis C in the line of duty to be eligible for worker’s compensation benefits.
"These officers put themselves at risk when they go to work every day, and I thought it was long overdue to make sure they got the same protection other law enforcement personnel get when they are forced into contact with people infected with hepatitis C," Eachus said. "These men and women are often the first to respond to situations with injuries involving blood loss and have more chances to come in contact with syringes associated with intravenous drug users. For all these reasons and more I’m glad the House approved the bill and I’m confident the Senate will act fast to pass the bill and protect those who protect us."
Eachus’ bill (H.B. 2477) would expand the groups of individuals covered for exposure to hepatitis C to include:
- Bureau of narcotics investigators employed by the Office of Attorney General;
- Liquor control enforcement officers employed by the Pennsylvania State Police;
- Commonwealth and county probation and parole officers;
- Sheriffs and deputy sheriffs;
- Capitol Police employed by the Department of General Services.
Currently, under Act 115 of 2001 occupations eligible for worker’s compensation in the case of hepatitis C infection include only professional and volunteer firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, state police officers, and Commonwealth and county correctional officers, among others.
"We have to face the facts – the world has changed and so has law enforcement," Eachus said. "These men and women deserve the same protection as all emergency responders, and this legislation was the right thing to do."
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