AL HB532

Amends Section 11-43-144, Code of Alabama 1975, to expand death benefits for city firefighters who die from occupational diseases.

Extends the cancer presumption timeline to include cancers manifesting up to 10 years after a firefighter's last date of employment, provided the firefighter was exposed to a known carcinogen while employed.

Firefighters who die of cancer within 10 years of their last employment date are automatically considered killed in the line of duty for purposes of Sections 36-30-1 to 36-30-7, inclusive.

Shifts the burden of proof to cities, requiring them to prove by preponderance of evidence that cancer, heart disease, hypertension, or respiratory disease was caused by means other than the firefighter's occupation to deny benefits.

Effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.