A bill to expand the presumption of compensability for several types of cancers in certain first responders has been introduced in the Virginia General Assembly.

HB 1408, introduced Tuesday, would expand the presumption for certain emergency responders who have completed five years of service in their position and have been diagnosed with melanoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, bladder cancer or thyroid cancer, according to a summary of the measure.

The presumption would not apply to individuals diagnosed with a qualifying cancer before July 1, 2023.

The workers covered under the bill include volunteer and career firefighters, Department of Emergency Management hazardous materials officers, commercial vehicle enforcement officers and motor carrier safety troopers working for the Virginia State Police, and full-time sworn members of the enforcement division of the Department of Motor Vehicles.

The types of cancers covered under the proposed expansion add to those presumed compensable under current law: pancreatic, prostate, rectal, throat, ovarian, breast, colon, brain and testicular.

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