Rhode Island firefighters are counting on state lawmakers to guarantee higher-paying, tax-free disability pensions to firefighters who get any form of cancer.
And it looks like they made a winning case to the Democratic leaders in the House and Senate.
Both the House and Senate Labor Committees have scheduled votes on Wednesday, during the lead up to next week’s special summer session, on bills that say: “Any type of cancer found in a firefighter is conclusively presumed to be an occupational cancer.”
The proposed law would be retroactive “to all cancer-related illnesses, injuries and disability claims pending on or after” the proposed law takes effect.
Disability pensions in the state system equal almost 67% of pay, tax free, for life. They represent a significant amount of the pension liabilities in certain Rhode Island communities.