THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	6
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016		S.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII

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.

Report Title: 

State Fire Council Package; Firefighters; Cancer; Task Force; Establishment