Bill would expand cancer presumption for New Hampshire firefighters

Legislation filed in New Hampshire would make all types of cancer among firefighters a presumptive occupational disease eligible for workers compensation.

Senate Bill 71, introduced Wednesday, states that cancer diagnoses in firefighters are presumed to be occupationally caused, making active-duty, volunteer and retired fire department members eligible to collect comp benefits.

The bill would remove language from existing law that says firefighters diagnosed with cancer can only collect comp benefits if the type of cancer involved was caused by exposure to heat, radiation or a known carcinogen as defined by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

The bill also calls for the creation of a commission to study workers comp in firefighter cancer cases.

The New Hampshire bill comes on the heels of similar legislation introduced in other states, including Connecticut and Nebraska.