Alaska governor signs firefighter presumption bill

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy enacted legislation adding breast cancer to the list of conditions presumed compensable for firefighters.

Gov. Dunleavy on Saturday signed S.B. 131, by Sen. Roger Holland, R-Anchorage, which adds to the list of cancers already presumed compensable for firefighters, including brain cancer, melanoma, leukemia and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

The bill also increases the maximum permanent partial impairment benefit by about 54%. Permanent partial disability benefits will be calculated by multiplying the injured worker’s whole person impairment rating by $273,000, instead of $177,000. The bill increased the cap on aggregate death benefits to $150,000 from $20,000. And it increases funeral benefits to $12,000 from $10,000.

The bill takes effect Jan. 1.