On February 27, 2024, Associate Policy Director Brianna January testified before the House Economic Matters Committee in support of HB 584- Workers’ Compensation- Occupational Disease Presumptions- First Responders (Caring for Public Employees in the Safety Professions- CAPES Act) with amendments. This bill adds thyroid, ovarian, and colon cancer as presumptions for firefighters for the purpose of workers’ compensation.
Counties understand the bill’s intent but are concerned about the fiscal impact of expanding presumptions. As such, MACo is requesting an amendment to add State funding to the bill to support the costs associated with newly eligible claims under the bill.
Counties understand that HB 584 is a priority of the Moore-Miller Administration and the General Assembly for the 2024 legislative session. With that consideration, counties support the intention of the bill but seek an amendment to provide State funding for the new proposed State policy it advances: payment of newly compensable benefit claims resulting from the bill.
HB 584’s cross-file, SB 476, was heard on March 5, 2024 in the Senate Finance Committee. Brianna January testified in support of this bill with amendments.
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