Occupational disease bill moves forward

Rep. John Lovick’s (D-Everett) bill to increase occupational disease benefits to law enforcement officers and firefighters has advanced. HB 1655 would create a prima facie presumption for classifying post-traumatic stress disorder as an occupational disease for officers and firefighters. AWC does not support this costly expansion of occupational disease presumption, and has testified in opposition to the bill. The bill has been referred to the House Appropriations Committee.