Revision: Jan. 10, 2021, 9:10 a.m.
HB 385-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2021 SESSION
21-0481
10/08
HOUSE BILL 385-FN
AN ACT relative to workers' compensation for heart and lung disease in firefighters.
SPONSORS: Rep. M. Pearson, Rock. 34; Rep. S. Pearson, Rock. 6; Rep. Shurtleff, Merr. 11; Rep. Goley, Hills. 8; Rep. Doucette, Rock. 8; Rep. Pratt, Rock. 3; Rep. Soucy, Merr. 16; Rep. Lanzara, Hills. 28; Rep. O'Brien, Hills. 36
COMMITTEE: Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
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ANALYSIS
This bill repeals the length of time the presumption of heart or lung disease is occupationally related for firefighters.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
21-0481
10/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty One
AN ACT relative to workers' compensation for heart and lung disease in firefighters.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Repeal. RSA 281-A:17, I(c), relative to the length of time the presumption of heart or lung disease in members of fire departments is occupationally related, is repealed.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
21-0481
12/30/20
HB 385-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT relative to workers' compensation for heart and lung disease in firefighters.
FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ X ] County [ X ] Local [ ] None
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STATE: | FY 2021 | FY 2022 | FY 2023 | FY 2024 | |
Appropriation | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
Expenditures | $0 | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase | |
Funding Source: | [ X ] General [ ] Education [ ] Highway [ ] Other | ||||
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COUNTY: |
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Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
Expenditures | $0 | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase | |
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LOCAL: |
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Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
Expenditures | $0 | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase | |
METHODOLOGY:
The New Hampshire Municipal Association states this bill would repeal RSA 281-A:17, I(c), regarding the presumption that heart or lung disease in firefighters is occupationally related terminates one month after the firefighter’s 65th birthday. Repealing this limitation could lead to more claims for workers’ compensation, and increased workers’ compensation rates for municipalities. However, the Association has no information from which to estimate any increase in claims or costs. The Association does not expect any impact on municipal revenues.
The Department of Safety indicates this change would increase the potential for continuation of current claims and make new claims possible. The costs related to the increased claims cannot be determined, but would impact State, county and local expenditures for workers compensation.
The Department of Labor does not anticipate this bill would impact state, county or local revenues. In terms of expenditures, the Department states it is possible that extension of the presumption beyond age 65 could lead to increased expenditures, at the county and local levels through an increase in premiums costs for workers' compensation coverage. However, there is no way for the Department to credibly quantify such potential increase in accepted claims or premium costs.
It is assumed no fiscal impact will occur until after July 1, 2021.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
New Hampshire Municipal Association and Departments of Safety and Labor