Bill offering firefighters insurance for cancer passes House

Legislation offering firefighters special insurance policies to cover treatment of certain cancers tied to their work passed the state House on Tuesday.

House Bill 146, sponsored by Rep. Micah Gravley, R-Douglasville, and backed by Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, passed 171-1 and now goes to the Senate.

The bill is the second attempt to offer special protections to firefighters who contract cancers from their exposure to dangerous substances in the line of duty. Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed a similar bill last year that would have allowed firefighters to file workers compensation claims if diagnosed with certain cancers.

HB 146 requires local governments to offer private insurance plans instead. Insurance plans would pay up to $25,000 upon diagnosis of certain cancers.

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