Workers’ compensation: firefighters.

Senator Laird's workers' compensation legislation extends critical injury presumptions to firefighters serving commercial airports, addressing a notable gap in California's existing protections for first responders. The bill amends seven sections of the Labor Code to include airport firefighters alongside their counterparts at military bases and NASA facilities.

Under the expanded provisions, airport firefighters who meet Federal Aviation Administration training standards would receive the same rebuttable presumptions that certain injuries and illnesses arose from their employment. These include cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder, tuberculosis, blood-borne diseases, meningitis, and injuries from biochemical substances. The presumptions continue for a defined period after service ends, ranging from 60 to 120 months depending on the condition.

The legislation maintains existing requirements that affected personnel demonstrate exposure to carcinogens in cancer cases and complete minimum service periods for certain benefits. It preserves the appeals process allowing employers to present contrary evidence. The bill also retains current sunset provisions, including the 2029 expiration of post-traumatic stress disorder presumptions absent legislative renewal.

For implementation tracking, the Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation must analyze post-traumatic stress disorder claims data through 2025 and report findings to legislative committees by 2027. This reporting requirement applies to both the expanded airport firefighter provisions and existing presumptions for public safety personnel.