A.  Because of exposure to blood and saliva of accident and crime victims, when a firefighter or policeman in the classified service, who has completed two or more years of service, has contracted Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C, such disease shall be deemed an occupational disease or infirmity connected with the duties of a firefighter or policeman.  The disease or infirmity shall be presumed to have been caused or to have resulted from such work performed.  The presumption shall be rebuttable by evidence meeting judicial standards, and shall be extended to a member following termination of service for a period of three months for each full year of service not to exceed sixty months commencing with the last actual date of service.  The presumption shall also be rebuttable by evidence that the otherwise eligible affected member was at the time of diagnosis of Hepatitis B or C, or within one year of such diagnosis, unlawfully using controlled substances by means of intravenous injection, or lived in an intimate relationship with any person who has been diagnosed with Hepatitis B or C.

B.  The affected member or his survivors shall be entitled to all rights and benefits as granted by state or federal law to which one suffering from an occupational disease is entitled as service connected in the line of duty.

C.  The provisions of this Section shall not be construed to affect in any way the provisions of La. Rev. Stat. 33:2011 or La. Rev. Stat. 33:2581.

Acts 2001, No. 443, §1.