SB 7 Nevada Senate · 36th (2026) Special Session

Revises provisions relating to occupational diseases. (BDR 53-36)

SB 7 changes Nevada law to automatically cover lung diseases (like cancer or COPD) for firefighters, arson investigators, and police officers as occupational injuries, removing the previous requirement that the disease must be caused by exposure to specific hazards like smoke or tear gas. This means these workers no longer need to prove their lung condition resulted from workplace exposures - only that they worked in these roles for at least two years before becoming disabled. The law also applies retroactively to claims filed before it took effect, ensuring past cases can be reconsidered under the new standard. The bill affects public safety workers directly by simplifying their path to disability compensation.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Nov 2025

Committee Review

Nov 2025

Senate Passage

Nov 2025

Assembly Passage

Nov 2025

Signed into Law

Nov 2025

Introduced Nov 15, 2025 Signed Nov 29, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As Introduced → As Enrolled · 7 edits · Nov 29, 2025

MODERATE

This bill amends Nevada's occupational disease law to remove the requirement that lung diseases must be caused by exposure to heat, smoke, fumes, tear gas, or noxious gases for firefighters, police officers, and arson investigators. The change expands coverage to include other lung diseases not directly caused by these specific exposures, while maintaining the 2-year employment requirement for the conclusive presumption. The bill also adds new provisions regarding tobacco use exclusions, failure to correct predisposing conditions, and options for partial disability beneficiaries.

Scope change

The bill significantly broadens the scope of covered occupational lung diseases by removing the specific exposure requirement, making the presumption apply to any lung disease diagnosed in covered workers regardless of whether it was caused by heat, smoke, fumes, tear gas, or noxious gases.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed the requirement that lung diseases must be caused by exposure to heat, smoke, fumes, tear gas, or noxious gases for the conclusive presumption to apply.

Added option for partially disabled workers to elect permanent total disability benefits if they cannot perform firefighter, police officer, or arson investigator work.

REQUIREMENT

Added new exclusions for claims involving frequent tobacco product use within 1 year of filing or material departure from prescribed medical care within 3 months.

Added provision requiring employees to correct predisposing conditions for lung disease when ordered by examining physicians.

ENFORCEMENT

Added requirement for Administrator to review claims delayed in appeals process for longer than 6 months.

TIMELINE

Added provision that claims filed after retirement only receive medical benefits, not other compensation.

TECHNICAL

Added clarification that purchased retirement service credit cannot be counted toward the 2-year employment requirement.

Floor votes · Assembly Nov 17, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Nov 29, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor.

executive

Nov 17, 2025

Upper · Passed

Read third time. Passed. Title approved. (Yeas: 33, Nays: 6, Excused: 3.) To Senate. In Senate. To enrollment.

upper

Nov 16, 2025

Upper · Passed

From committee: Do pass. Placed on Second Reading File. Read second time.

upper

Nov 15, 2025

Upper · Passed

Read first time. Referred to Select Committee on Health and Wellness. To printer. From printer. To committee. From committee: Do pass. Declared an emergency measure under the Constitution. Read third time. Passed. Title approved. (Yeas: 15, Nays: 5, Excused: 1.) To Assembly. In Assembly. Read first time. Referred to Select Committee on Public Safety and Security. To committee.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors