FF's & Cancer- Benefits

[NJFFSA16]

Nevada Senate approves firefighter benefits bill
(Carson City-AP) -- A bill ensuring that firefighters who
contract certain forms of cancer can qualify for industrial
insurance coverage has been approved by the Nevada Senate.
The bill ensures workers' compensation coverage for a
firefighter with five years on the job, and was backed by a North
Las Vegas fireman who's dying of cancer.
William Harnedy says his claims for state benefits were delayed
or rejected following his 2001 cancer diagnosis. He says that while
the legislation may not help him, it would aid others in his
situation.
Insurers had objected to the bill at first, but backed off after
language was added in the Senate specifying that any claim of
on-the-job exposure to carcinogens causing cancers is rebuttable in
court.
The bill now returns to the Assembly for discussion of the
amendment.

[NJFFSA16]

Nevada governor signs firefighter benefits bill
br1
CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - Nevada firefighters will be covered for
certain forms of cancer considered occupational hazards, under a
bill signed into law by Gov. Kenny Guinn.
AB451 clearly states that certain cancers contracted by
firefighters are occupational diseases covered by the state's
insurance plans.
Legislators considering the bill heard emotional testimony from
former Carson City and North Las Vegas firefighter William Harnedy,
who is dying of cancer. He told the panels that while the
legislation may not help him, it would aid others in his situation.
Harnedy said his claims for state benefits were delayed or
rejected following his 2001 cancer diagnosis.
Assemblyman John Oceguera, D-Las Vegas, who worked as a
firefighter with Harnedy, pushed for the change, saying existing
law was unclear.
Insurers originally objected to the bill, but backed off after
language was added in the Senate specifying that any claim of
on-the-job exposure to carcinogens is rebuttable in court. The
Assembly endorsed the Senate's amendment.
Also signed Thursday by Guinn were:
-AB541, which lets candidates have nicknames printed on ballots
in order to help voters distinguish between them and their
opponents. Also, if two candidates' names are the same or so
similar that they'd confuse voters, the candidates' middle initials
must be used. Any incumbents can have their names printed first and
in bold type.
-AB528, which states that anyone who acquires a registered voter
list for election purposes can't sell it or use it for any reason
outside the election.
-SB240, which requires a house's former use as a methamphetamine
lab to be disclosed to potential buyers. The disclosure must be
made unless the property was completely cleaned and certified as
safe by a governmental entity. Sellers aren't liable if they don't
have actual knowledge that the building was formerly used to make
the drug.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)