Governor signs firefighter presumption bill

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown on Tuesday signed legislation that gives firefighters in Portland the same presumption for certain occupational diseases that other firefighters in the state have been eligible for since the 1960s.

Prior to H.B. 2915, Oregon law exempted 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 declares that the exclusion of these firefighters from the definition of a covered worker doesn’t apply to the statute defining occupational diseases, and creates presumptions that heart and lung conditions are compensable for those firefighters with at least five years of experience.

The bill takes effect immediately.