AR HB1345

Amends Arkansas Code § 24-4-511 to expand the definition of "disease" for disability retirement eligibility under the Arkansas Public Employees' Retirement System to include cancer diagnosed by firefighters or volunteer firefighters while in the line of duty.

Specifies that cancer includes leukemia, lymphoma, mesothelioma, multiple myeloma, and cancers of the brain, urinary tract, liver, skin, breast, cervix, thyroid, prostate, testicle, colon, and digestive tract.

Permits rebuttal of a finding that a firefighter was diagnosed with cancer in the line of duty by a preponderance of the evidence.

Amends Arkansas Code § 24-10-607 to apply identical cancer coverage provisions to members and volunteer members of the Arkansas Local Police and Fire Retirement System.

Allows consideration of research from the International Agency for Research on Cancer when determining if other cancers qualify based on higher occurrence rates in firefighters who were exposed to known carcinogens.