Hawaii governor signs female firefighter cancer presumption bill

Hawaii firefighters diagnosed with certain types of female cancers are presumed to have contracted the diseases on the job under a newly signed revision to the state’s workers compensation law.

Gov. Josh Green on Thursday signed House Bill 1889, now known as Act 101. The law creates a workers comp presumption for female firefighters diagnosed with breast, cervical and uterine cancers.

The measure was one of a number of bills introduced this year across the country to expand workers comp presumptions for firefighters diagnosed with cancer.

When they introduced the legislation, Hawaii lawmakers cited a National Library of Medicine study that showed female firefighters may develop various types of cancer at an earlier age than women in other occupations. 

“These findings illustrate the need to provide broad and presumptive medical coverage for female firefighters who have become ill,” the bill stated.