Bill > SB0161

This bill amends the Worker's Disability Compensation Act to expand worker's compensation presumptions for heart and respiratory diseases for first responders and public safety personnel. The bill broadens coverage to include full-time, part-time, paid on-call, and volunteer members of fire departments, police departments, public safety departments, and other emergency services, including forest fire and crash rescue officers. The legislation creates the Christopher R. Slezak first responder presumed coverage fund, which provides a presumption of work-related causation for specific types of cancer (including respiratory tract, bladder, skin, brain, kidney, blood, thyroid, testicular, prostate, lymphatic, ovarian, breast, and non-HPV cervical cancers) for first responders with at least 60 months of active service. To qualify, members must have been exposed to hazards related to fire suppression, rescue, or emergency medical services. The presumption can be rebutted by evidence of substantial tobacco use within the previous 10 years. The bill requires claimants to first apply for and explore pension benefits, and establishes reporting requirements for the fund, including annual reports to the state budget director and legislative appropriations committees. The fund will be managed by a director who will review and process claims within 30 days of receipt, with provisions for handling situations where fund resources are insufficient to pay all approved claims.

Labor and Employment

https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-SB-0161