HB 6188 Summary

• Expands occupational cancer presumption under workers' compensation to include forest fire officers and fire/crash rescue officers, in addition to existing coverage for firefighters, police officers, sheriffs, state police, and conservation officers.

• Requires cancer-stricken first responders to have 60 months of active service and exposure to hazards of fire suppression, rescue, or emergency medical services; establishes presumption that specified cancers (respiratory tract, bladder, skin, brain, kidney, blood, thyroid, testicular, prostate, lymphatic) arise from employment unless rebutted by evidence of substantial tobacco use in the 10 years prior.

• Creates a separate First Responder Presumed Coverage Fund in the state treasury to pay workers' compensation benefits for occupational cancers, with claims suspended against employers during fund benefit receipt and resuming indefinitely if a redemption agreement is approved.

• Requires claimants to first apply for any available pension benefits before claiming fund benefits; establishes 30-day deadline for claim approval or denial and annual reporting requirements to legislative appropriations committees.

• Fund receives investment income and must retain unspent money without lapsing to general fund; legislature must appropriate initial money before fund implementation begins.