Bill would expand cancer workers’ comp presumption for NH firefighters

Calls for commission to study workers’ comp in firefighter cancer cases

February 9, 2023

NH Business Review Staff,

Legislation filed in the NH Senate would make all types of cancer among firefighters a presumptive occupational disease eligible for workers’ compensation.

Under Senate Bill 71, sponsored by a bipartisan group of senators, cancer diagnoses in firefighters would be 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 workers’ 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.

Similar legislation has been introduced in other states, including Connecticut and Nebraska.

Categories: Government, Health, News

More news from NHBR:

State revenue got a helpful one-time shot in the arm. Now what?

Analysts fear that once it’s gone for the remainder of the fiscal year, overall revenue will lag unless other accounts, which have been underperforming to date, pick up the pace

State of the City: Mayor urges focus on long term

Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais delivered his State of the City on Tuesday, Feb. 10, framing a path to the city’s future through the lens of history. His speech, at times rapid-fire and metrics-driven and at others raised to the passionate, oratorial tone of a secular civic sermon, addressed a standing-room-only crowd of business and civic leaders at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at St. Anselm College.

Engineers Who Inspect Construction Projects And Contractors Disc

Lower interest rates pushed by White House likely won’t help NH home prices

The issue here in New Hampshire remains as it has been for many months: lack of supply that forces the hand of higher prices

Building House On Blueprints Construction Project. Generative Ai

Housing Champions repeal pits Legislature against governor

According to housing advocate groups, the champions program is doing exactly what it set out to do: reward communities that are taking steps to build more housing

Blurred Image Of Business Meeting In Modern Office Professional Team Discussion Around Conference Table In Corporate Environment

Guardrails, not barriers

NH Tech Alliance task force maps AI in New Hampshire

Tax amnesty

There are no magic wands in tax disputes, but the current New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) tax amnesty program is about as close as it gets.

State lawmakers deny Nashua funding to buy Daniel Webster College site

The state Senate Finance Committee voted along party lines January 13 against a bill that would give Nashua $20 million to purchase the former site of Daniel Webster College. Four Republicans voted in favor and two Democrats against.

Close Up Top View Group Of Calculator , Home Model ,yellow Pencil, Banking Account Book And Calendar On White Color Background With Space For Money Management ,home Loan And Personal Financial Concept

Legislative committee signs off on NH housing program repeal

Legislature also wrestles with the Business and Enterprise Tax, which has a direct effect on state revenues, and as it looks at how Meals and Rental Tax revenue is distributed and whether there should be an additional “Pillow Tax” on rentals

Legislative committee votes to repeal NH 'Housing Champions'

A state-run program that encourages communities to add much needed housing in New Hampshire, already defunded in the current budget, is on the precipice of disappearing altogether. The House Committee on Housing voted 10-8 on Jan. 20 to repeal the so-called Housing Champions program administered by the NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs.