NC S472

Expands the types of cancers presumed occupationally related to firefighting to include mesothelioma, testicular cancer, intestinal cancer, esophageal cancer, and cancers of the respiratory, digestive, and urinary systems for determining line-of-duty death benefits.

Firefighters killed by any of these seven cancer types are presumed to have been killed in the line of duty, making them eligible for death benefits.

Establishes a $25,000 trust account through the Industrial Commission for firefighters diagnosed with an occupationally related cancer who have five consecutive years of employment, no history of smoking tobacco, and were not employed in an unrelated cancer-linked position in the preceding five years.

Trust account funds may only be used to pay for medical expenses related to treatment of the firefighter's occupationally related cancer.

Effective July 1, 2021, applying to eligible deaths and cancer diagnoses occurring on or after that date.