What's happening
This bill establishes a presumption that certain cancers in firefighters are work-related for disability and death benefit purposes.
Why it matters
Provides expanded protection for firefighters by presuming a wide range of cancers (including those affecting the lymphatic, digestive, hematological, urinary, neurological, breast, reproductive, and prostate systems, as well as melanoma) are job-related for disability and death benefits. This makes it easier for affected firefighters or their families to access benefits without having to prove a direct link between their work and their illness.
Reduces barriers to obtaining benefits by shifting the burden of proof to employers or retirement systems, who must provide competent evidence to rebut the presumption that cancer was caused by firefighting duties. This is significant because proving occupational links for cancer can be complex and often puts undue stress on sick firefighters or their survivors.
Applies specifically to paid firefighters who have passed an initial physical exam with no signs of cancer, ensuring that only those who developed cancer after starting their firefighting career are covered. This targets the intended group and helps prevent abuse while addressing real occupational health risks.
May increase costs for municipalities and the state due to potentially higher rates of approved disability and death benefit claims, but aims to fairly compensate those who are at increased risk due to the hazards of firefighting. This reflects a societal recognition of the long-term health impacts of firefighting beyond immediate injury.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Presume Cancer for Firefighters
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to ways and means
- Reported referred to ways and means
- Referred to governmental employees
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Protect Firefighters With Cancer
In Assembly Committee · Ways And Means · Sponsor Martin J. Golden
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6501
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
March 7, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. ABBATE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Employees
AN ACT to amend the general municipal law, in relation to creating a cancer presumption for firefighters
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The general municipal law is amended by adding a new section 207-kkk to read as follows:
§ 207-kkk. Firefighters; disabilities caused by cancer. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter to the contrary, any condition of impairment of health caused by (i) any condition of cancer affecting the lymphatic, digestive, hematological, urinary, neurological, breast, reproductive, or prostate systems or (ii) melanoma resulting in total or partial disability or death to a paid member of a fire department or fire district that participates in the New York State and Local Police and Fire Retirement System, who successfully passed a physical examination on entry into the service of such department, which examination failed to reveal any evidence of such condition, shall be presumptive evidence that it was incurred in the performance and discharge of duty unless the contrary be proved by competent evidence.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10089-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.