Union officials are pressuring your state lawmakers to support HB 5629 - the mega-mandate that would significantly impact your local budgets - by mandating special workers’ compensation benefits for all public safety personnel (paid and volunteer) for infectious & contagious diseases, and for cardiac emergencies for paid personnel.

As the CEO of your municipality - it is imperative that you convince your state legislators to oppose this special interest legislation.

YOUR ACTION REQUIRED: Contact Your State Legislator-NOW!

HB 5629 is a huge unfunded state mandate and not a compromise

Tell your lawmakers:

• Diagnoses should be made and benefits awarded - based on medical evidence and not legislative presumptions.
• The vital programs and services you deliver are in jeopardy because of HB 5629.
• It’s the economy! Property taxpayers simply should not pay for an election year give-away to special interest groups.
• Dont take CCM’s word for it- listen to the experts. The Office of Fiscal Analysis review of HB 5629 concludes:
  • "....because the burden of proof has shifted to the employer to refute the claim - there will be increased costs to municipalities."
  • "The fiscal impact to the state and municipalities could be significant for hepatitis, meningitis, tuberculosis claims due to the cost of medical treatment along with the corresponding indemnity benefits."
  • cHepatitis, meningitis, tuberculosis and cardiac emergency claims tend to need medical treatment for extended durations of time thus presenting a significant long-term cost to workers' compensation programs."
• HB 5629 is completely unnecessary - these employees already receive coverage as long as they demonstrate their illnesses are job-related.

Hold your state lawmakers accountable. They need to hear directly from you that you oppose any form of this unfunded state mandate.

For more information on HB 5629 — contact Bob Labanara or Ron Thomas of CCM at (203) 498-3000.