Oklahoma Bill to Protect First Responders Advances Unanimously

Measure aims to strengthen workers' compensation for firefighters, police, and EMTs who suffer heart attacks or strokes after intense duty.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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A bill introduced by Oklahoma state Rep. Neil Hays, R-Checotah, that would create a legal presumption in workers' compensation cases for first responders who suffer a heart attack or stroke after intense, on-duty activity has unanimously passed the House Civil Judiciary Committee. The measure is intended to provide more certainty and support for the families of firefighters, police officers, and EMTs who experience serious cardiovascular events closely following their emergency response work.

Why it matters

First responders often face immense physical strain in the line of duty, which can take a serious toll on their cardiovascular health. This bill aims to recognize that reality and ensure these public servants and their loved ones do not have to fight lengthy legal battles to receive workers' compensation benefits after a heart attack or stroke.

The details

HB4260 would establish that if a qualifying first responder experiences an acute myocardial infarction or stroke that results in disability or death within eight hours of engaging in stressful or strenuous emergency response activity or training, the condition would be presumed to have occurred in the course and scope of their employment. This shifts the burden of proof away from the injured worker or their family, who often must demonstrate the medical event was directly job-related under current law.

  • The House Civil Judiciary Committee unanimously approved HB4260 on February 19, 2026.
  • The bill now advances to the House Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight Committee for further consideration.
  • If approved by the Legislature and signed into law, HB4260 would take effect on November 1, 2026.

The players

Rep. Neil Hays

A Republican state representative from Checotah, Oklahoma who introduced HB4260 to strengthen workers' compensation protections for first responders.

House Civil Judiciary Committee

The Oklahoma state legislative committee that unanimously approved HB4260.

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What they’re saying

“'When our first responders run toward danger, they put more than their safety on the line. The physical strain of fighting a fire, pursuing a suspect or responding to a medical emergency can take a serious toll on the heart. This bill simply recognizes that reality and ensures they are not left fighting for benefits after giving everything on the job.'”

— Rep. Neil Hays, State Representative (mcintoshdemocrat.com)

“'If a firefighter, police officer or EMT suffers a heart attack or stroke after a grueling shift, their family should not have to carry the additional weight of proving it was job-related. This bill offers peace of mind and certainty for the men and women who serve and for the loved ones who depend on them.'”

— Rep. Neil Hays, State Representative (mcintoshdemocrat.com)

What’s next

The bill now advances to the House Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight Committee for further consideration. If approved by the Legislature and signed into law, HB4260 would take effect on November 1, 2026.

The takeaway

This legislation recognizes the immense physical toll that emergency response work can have on first responders' cardiovascular health, and aims to provide more certainty and support for these public servants and their families when they experience serious medical events closely following intense duty.