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Primary Sponsor

Last Action

Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate2025-05-05

Vote Breakdown

Plain Language Summary

This bill adds certain occupational cancers to the list of firefighter deaths eligible for death benefits under North Carolina's Public Safety Employees' Death Benefits Act. Firefighters who die from mesothelioma, testicular cancer, small intestine cancer, esophageal cancer, oral cavity cancer, pharynx cancer, gastric cancer, prostate cancer, or colon cancer are presumed to have died in the line of duty if the cancer is occupationally related to firefighting.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue that firefighters face significant occupational exposure to carcinogenic materials like asbestos and smoke, making cancer deaths a legitimate workplace injury.
• •Expanding death benefits recognizes this occupational hazard and provides financial support to families of deceased firefighters, acknowledging their sacrifice and the health risks inherent to the job.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may argue that establishing a broad presumption of occupational causation for multiple cancer types could increase costs to the state's death benefits program without requiring individual proof of workplace exposure.
• •There may be concerns about distinguishing occupational cancers from those caused by non-work factors, and questions about whether the presumption should apply uniformly to all cancers listed or require stronger causation evidence.