Oregon legislature passes Portland firefighter presumption bill

The Oregon Senate passed a bill Monday that would give firefighters in Portland the same presumption for certain diseases as occupational that other firefighters in the state have been eligible for since the 1960s.

The Senate voted 28-1 to pass H.B. 2915 and sent the measure to the governor’s desk. The state House of Representatives voted 59-1 to pass the bill in April.

Oregon law effectively exempts Portland firefighters and police from the definition of those who are covered by workers compensation laws because the city provides its own disability and retirement system.

H.B. 2915 would declare that the exclusion of these firefighters from the definition of a covered worker doesn’t apply to the statute defining occupational diseases and create presumptions that heart and lung conditions are compensable for those firefighters with at least five years of experience.

The bill would take effect immediately if signed by Gov. Kate Brown.

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