Ohio Legislators Approve Firefighter Protection Measure

Stateline: The Ohio Legislature has passed a measure that creates a presumption that when a firefighter has cancer, it was related to his job and exposure to toxic smoke and fumes.

The bill, sponsored by Republican state Sen. Tom Patton, would make it easier for firefighters to get workers’ compensation and pension benefits if they are diagnosed with cancer.

The measure, which now goes to Republican Gov. John Kasich, applies to fire department personnel assigned to at least six years of hazardous duty who have been exposed to high level carcinogens and are disabled as a result of cancer.

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