OH HB330

Amends section 4123.68 of the Revised Code to add a new provision (X) creating a presumption that cancer contracted by firefighters with at least six years of hazardous duty is occupational if exposed to Group 1 or 2A carcinogens as classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

The cancer presumption is rebuttable if evidence shows exposure to cigarettes, tobacco products, or other high-risk conditions outside official duties; scientific evidence that the carcinogen could not cause the alleged cancer; no actual exposure to a Group 1 or 2A carcinogen; cancer incurred before becoming a firefighter; or firefighter is age 70 or older.

The presumption does not apply if more than 15 years have passed since the firefighter was last assigned to hazardous duty.

Compensation for firefighter cancer is payable only for temporary total disability, working wage loss, permanent total disability, or death under sections 4123.56, 4123.58, and 4123.59.

State insurance fund charges all firefighter cancer compensation to the surplus fund account; self-insuring employers must deduct such compensation from their reported paid compensation to the administrator.