DE SB126

Expands the definition of "covered firefighters" to include paid municipal firefighters, fire service instructors, fire marshals employed by the State, and fire department auxiliary members, in addition to volunteer firefighters.

Creates a presumption that covered firefighters (excluding auxiliary members) who have been in service at least 5 years are presumed to have occupational diseases (lung disease, heart problems, cancer, post-traumatic stress injury) that resulted from line-of-duty service if they meet medical examination requirements.

Requires medical examinations upon joining the fire service and periodic examinations every 5 years for the first 20 years of service and every 3 years thereafter to establish baseline health status and track occupational disease development.

Allows the presumption of occupational disease to be rebutted with evidence that the condition existed before joining the fire service, was caused by factors outside firefighting duties (tobacco use, lifestyle, hereditary factors), or for cancer claims, lack of exposure to carcinogenic agents.

Requires fire companies to maintain comprehensive exposure tracking records for each member firefighter and mandates the Commissioner report biennially on presumed cancer claims, including number of approved and disapproved claims and associated costs.