Bill Text: HI SR6 | 2016 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: State Fire Council Package; Firefighters; Cancer; Task Force; Establishment
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)
Status: (Passed) 2016-04-07 - Report and Resolution Adopted, as amended (SD 2). [SR6 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2016-SR6-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.R. NO. |
6 |
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TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016 |
S.D. 2 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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SENATE RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING THE FORMATION OF A TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE ISSUE OF A CANCER PRESUMPTIVE STATUTE RELATING TO FIREFIGHTERS.
WHEREAS, highly concentrated toxicants in the form of plastics and other synthetics often burn in residential or vehicle fires; and
WHEREAS, although fire departments have improved procedures for cleaning firefighters' protective clothing and breathing apparatus, firefighters may still become exposed to carcinogens and toxicants while performing their duties; and
WHEREAS, the exposure to toxicants during a firefighter's career may not result in symptoms or a cancer diagnosis until years after retirement; and
WHEREAS, University of Cincinnati environmental health researchers have determined that firefighters are significantly more likely to develop various types of cancer than workers in other fields; and
WHEREAS, a study released by the University of Cincinnati in 2006 found that, when compared to the general population, the risk for firefighters is:
(1) One hundred two percent higher for testicular cancer;
(2) Fifty-three percent higher for multiple myeloma;
(3) Fifty-one percent higher for non-Hodgkin lymphoma;
(4) Thirty-nine percent higher for skin cancer;
(5) Thirty-two percent higher for brain cancer and malignant melanoma;
(6) Twenty-nine percent higher for rectal cancer;
(7) Twenty-eight percent higher for prostate cancer;
(8) Twenty-four percent higher for buccal cavity and pharynx cancer;
(9) Twenty-two percent higher for stomach cancer;
(10) Twenty-one percent higher for colon cancer; and
(11) Fourteen percent higher for leukemia; and
WHEREAS, a firefighter's cancer diagnosis can also have an enormous impact on a spouse, children, and other family members, including a heavy emotional toll, financial costs, and a decreased quality of life; and
WHEREAS, thirty-four states and nine Canadian provinces have enacted cancer presumptive statutes, which create a presumption that certain types of cancer diagnosed among firefighters result from their employment as firefighters; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-eighth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2016, that various stakeholders are requested to convene a Firefighter Cancer Presumptive Task Force (Task Force) to develop recommendations for the enactment of a cancer presumptive statute relating to firefighters; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force be comprised of:
(1) The Chairperson of the Senate standing committee with primary jurisdiction over health, or the Chairperson's designee;
(2) The Chairperson of the House of Representatives standing committee with primary jurisdiction over health, or the Chairperson's designee;
(3) The Chairperson of the Senate standing committee with primary jurisdiction over labor, or the Chairperson's designee;
(4) The Chairperson of the House of Representatives standing committee with primary jurisdiction over labor, or the Chairperson's designee;
(5) The Director of Health, or the Director's designee;
(6) The Director of Human Resources Development, or the Director's designee;
(7) The Director of Labor and Industrial Relations, or the Director's designee;
(8) The Director of the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, or the Director's designee;
(9) The Fire Chief from each county, or the Chief's designee;
(10) A representative from the Hawaii Employers' Mutual Insurance Company;
(11) A representative from the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund;
(12) A private attorney familiar with workers' compensation claims;
(13) The President of the Hawaii Fire Fighters Association, or the President's designee; and
(14) A representative from the State Fire Council; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force is requested to provide a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2017; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the report include:
(1) An analysis of the number of cancer patients among the State's general population as compared to the number who are firefighters;
(2) Recommendations, if any, for revisions to workers' compensation statutes to expedite the award of workers' compensation benefits for firefighters who are diagnosed with cancer;
(3) An estimate of the cost to the State and counties of workers' compensation benefits for firefighters who are diagnosed with cancer;
(4) Current county fire department safety procedures and protocols related to preventing and reporting firefighter exposure to toxicants; and
(5) Recommendations, if any, for changes to a fire department's administrative rules to improve workers' compensation benefits for firefighters who are diagnosed with cancer; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health; Chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Health; Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor; Chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Labor; Director of Health; Director of Human Resources Development; Director of Labor and Industrial Relations; Director of the University of Hawaii Cancer Center; Fire Chief of each county; Chief Executive Officer of the Hawaii Employers' Mutual Insurance Company; Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund; President of the Hawaii Fire Fighters Association; and Chairperson of the State Fire Council.
State Fire Council Package; Firefighters; Cancer; Task Force; Establishment
