First-responder occupational disease compromise bill passes Senate

HB 1913 passed out of the Senate unanimously last week. The bill provides first-responders new workers’ compensation presumptions for certain cancers and infectious diseases. The bill also creates a permanent advisory committee within the Department of Labor and Industries that will review scientific evidence and make recommendations to the Legislature for any future presumptive diseases for first responders.

With the Senate’s passage, the bill will now head to the Governor’s Office for signature.

AWC supports the compromise bill and it was the product of months-long negotiations among cities, counties, and first responder advocacy groups.