Legislature Passes First Responder Cancer Presumption Bill

The Arizona House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill intended to make it easier for first responders to invoke the presumption that cancer is an occupational disease. The House voted 51-7 to pass SB 1451, by Sen. Paul Boyer, R-Phoenix. The Senate voted 22-8 to pass the bill on Feb. 18, meaning the measure can now be presented to Gov. Doug Ducey. Boyer’s bill would eliminate the requirement that firefighters or peace officers be exposed to a known carcinogen reasonably related to the claimed cancer for the presumption to apply. The bill would also increase the evidentiary st...