Governor Signs Firefighter Cancer Presumption Bill Into Law

Friday, April 29, 2016 | 0

Idaho Gov. Butch Otter on Wednesday signed legislation that creates a presumption that cancer contracted by firefighters is a compensable occupational disease, according to KXLY 4 TV in Coeur d'Alene.

Gov. Butch Otter

Otter signed the bill surrounded by firefighters and legislators who supported House Bill 554, which had been introduced by the House of Representatives' Commerce and Human Resources Committee.

The measure creates a rebuttable presumption that if a firefighter or volunteer firefighter contracts mesothelioma, leukemia, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or cancers of the brain, bladder, kidney, testicles, esophagus or breast, the disease is a compensable consequence of employment. The bill makes an exception for firefighters who smoke or who live with a smoker.

The bill, however, requires that firefighters have a minimum amount of time in service before the presumption applies. The amount varies by the type of disease. The presumption for kidney cancer, for example, would not apply until a firefighter completes 15 years of service, while testicular cancer would be presumed compensable if diagnosed after five years of service.

The legislation has been 16 years in the making. Most recently, similar measures failed in 2012 and 2014 after being passed by the state Senate but stalling in committee in the House.

The new law takes effect on July 1.