What Is SB7? 

Nevada’s newly passed Senate Bill (SB7) brings greater protection to the state’s first responders, including volunteer firefighters and police officers who suffer from lung or heart diseases brought on by workplace hazards.  

The bill came to be after a recent State Supreme Court ruling, which tackled the issue of first responder benefits and compensation being directly tied to proving that their lung or heart diseases were the result of workplace hazards. 

This new bill reduces the requirement to prove causation for lung conditions or heart conditions, making it easier for essential workers to receive the benefits and compensation they deserve after being diagnosed with lung or heart disease. 

Let’s take a closer look at the details of this bill, including how it will benefit first responders and its expected impact on Las Vegas municipalities. 

Why Does SB7 Matter Legally? 

SB7 directly tackles long-standing health issues that first responders like firefighters and police officers have faced while on the job. Before SB7, injured first responders needed to show an excessive burden of proof that their injuries were the result of workplace hazards. With this new bill in place, the burden of proof is significantly reduced.  

Some of the key changes brought on with this bill include: 

• Burden of proof for lung cancer: The new law will remove the requirement that first responders have to prove their lung disease — whether it be COPD or lung cancer — was caused by their job. If they develop a lung condition covered under this bill, the condition will be presumed to be work-related. 
• Burden of proof for heart conditions: Protections for heart conditions that first responders face is reinforced under the existing “conclusive presumptions” that are currently in place. This ensures that heart-related claims remain protected. 
• Long-term disability: Under SB7, protections for lung and heart disease are offered under long-term disability claims. This ensures that first responders who are facing these life-threatening diseases will have access to essential financial support, even if they are no longer able to work because of their condition. 

Most importantly, these changes will apply to both active and retired first responders. The bill recognizes that these health issues can take time to manifest, even years after a worker is no longer in the work environment that causes the health conditions they are facing. 

SB7 is important because it’s restoring long-standing rights that workers have under the 1989 “conclusive presumption” law. For over 30 years, this law has protected first responders from the life-changing side effects that can come from having a job that exposes them to hazardous materials and/or environments. 

The law was challenged in the 2025 case of Officer John Holguin v. The City of Henderson, in which a police officer was denied coverage from his employer after developing respiratory illnesses from exposure to COVID while on the job.  

The State Supreme Court denied his claim for workers’ compensation, a protection that should have been afforded to him under the state’s long-standing “conclusive presumption” law. 

In response, the passage of SB7 makes it easier for first responders to file a claim and access the financial compensation they deserve without having an extensive burden of proof to meet first. 

Municipal and Budgetary Considerations 

SB7 is a welcome protection for first responders, but it brings some challenging concerns that municipalities have to address. The bill will force municipalities like Las Vegas, Reno, Henderson, and North Las Vegas to consider their budget allocations to ensure that there is a pool of funds to protect first responders who file claims going forward.  

Throughout Nevada, even in tourist hubs like Las Vegas, there is only so much money municipalities have to work with. It’s unclear how these municipalities will navigate the road ahead, as it’s unknown to the extent of future claims that will be brought by unavoidable hazards like COVID — the original health hazard source that led Officer Holguin to his health issues. 

Steps First Responders Should Take 

If you or a loved one is a first responder and has concerns about your health because of on-the-job hazards, knowing your options can help you make the best choice for yourself or your family. 

With legislation like SB7, Nevada’s workers’ compensation laws will continue to provide the coverage you’re entitled to after dedicating your life to a career of service.  

Know your rights when you contact a Nevada workers’ compensation attorney at Adam S. Kutner. Our workers’ compensation attorneys can assist with claims, appeals if you’ve been denied, and can help answer all your eligibility questions. 

Reach out today to schedule your free case consultation and speak with a personal injury lawyer you can trust.