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Federal Fire Fighter Presumptive Disability
Our nation's federal fire fighters
have some of the most hazardous jobs in the fire service, but unlike
many states, the federal government does not presume that illnesses
associated with fire fighting are job-related. As a result, to
qualify for disability retirement, a federal fire fighter who
suffers from an occupational illness must specify the precise
exposure that caused his or her illness -- an almost insurmountable
burden.
The Federal Firefighters Fairness
Act would alleviate this burden by creating a rebuttable
presumption that cardiovascular disease, certain cancers and certain
infectious diseases contracted by federal fire fighters are
job-related for purposes of workers' compensation and disability
retirement. The bill was recently introduced in the House by
Representatives Lois Capps (D-CA) and Todd Platts (R-PA) as H.R.
1142. In the Senate, the bill was introduced by Senators Tom Carper (D-DE)
and John Warner (R-VA) as S. 1924.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
recently approved S. 1924, which now awaits action by the full
Senate.
For more
information about presumptive disability laws and the Federal Firefighters
Fairness Act, click here:
Fact Sheet
Learn
more about the need to enact a disability presumption for federal
fire fighters:
Key Points
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House Action
H.R. 1142 is currently pending
consideration by the House Committee on Education and Labor.
To read a copy of H.R. 1142, the
Federal Firefighters Fairness Act, click here:
Fairness Act
View a list of members who
cosponsored H.R. 1142:
Cosponsors
House
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Senate Action
On June 25, 2008, the Senate Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs approved S. 1924 by voice vote.
Read More...
To read a copy of S. 1924, the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act, click
here:
Fairness Act
View a list of members who
cosponsored S. 1924:
Cosponsors
Senate
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