Firefighter Presumption Awaiting Final Vote in Senate

Legislation that would create a presumption that certain conditions, including cancer and pulmonary disease, are occupational ailments for Montana firefighters is awaiting a final vote in the Senate. Senate Bill 160, by Sen. Nate McConnell, D-Missoula, lists a dozen conditions that would be presumed compensable when diagnosed after a specific period of employment. Cardiovascular disease would be presumed to arise out of work after 10 years of employment, and leukemia after five. The presumption for bladder cancer would apply after 12 years of employment. Conditions would a...