H-0795.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 1497
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State of Washington 52nd Legislature 1991 Regular Session
By Representatives Riley, Paris, Braddock, Anderson, Basich, Pruitt, R. King and Wang.
Read first time January 31, 1991. Referred to Committee on Commerce & Labor.
AN ACT Relating to health and safety; and adding new sections to chapter 51.32 RCW.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds and declares that fire fighters and law enforcement officers are often subject to extreme stress during the course of their employment. Many fire fighters and law enforcement officers must place themselves in life-threatening positions for the protection of the general public. The legislature therefore finds and declares that heart disease and cancer should be presumed to be occupational diseases for fire fighters and law enforcement officers.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. In the case of fire fighters as defined in RCW 41.26.030(4) (a), (b), and (c) who are covered under chapter 51 RCW, there shall exist a prima facie presumption that heart disease and cancer are occupational diseases under RCW 51.08.140. This presumption of occupational diseases is rebuttable and evidence of smoking tobacco products shall be given special consideration in favor of rebutting the presumption.
This presumption shall be extended to a member following termination of service for a period of three calendar months for each year of requisite service, but may not extend more than sixty months following the last date of employment.
For purposes of this section, heart disease includes but is not limited to myocarditis, coronary sclerosis, and hypertension.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. In the case of law enforcement officers as defined in RCW 41.26.030(3) who are covered under chapter 51 RCW, there shall exist a prima facie presumption that heart disease and cancer are occupational diseases under RCW 51.08.140. This presumption of occupational disease is rebuttable and evidence of smoking tobacco products shall be given special consideration in favor of rebutting the presumption.
This presumption shall be extended to a member following termination of service for a period of three calendar months for each year of requisite service, but may not extend more than sixty months following the last date of employment.
For purposes of this section, heart disease includes but is not limited to myocarditis, coronary sclerosis, and hypertension.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. Sections 1 through 3 of this act are each added to chapter 51.32 RCW.