Firefighter Presumption Bill Going to Conference Committee

A bill that would create a rebuttable presumption that cancer, infectious disease and MRSA skin infections are occupational injuries for Hawaii firefighters faces one more vote by a special committee used in the state when the Senate and House of Representatives don't agree on amendments. Senate Bill 675, by Sen. Will Espero, D-Ewa Beach, would create a presumption of compensability for cancer or leukemia, blood-borne infectious diseases and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin infections.  As introduced, the bill would have taken effect July 1, 2015. However, Espero ame...