Committee backs expansion of presumptive occupational cancers for firefighters
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Summary
The committee advanced HB128 to update New Mexico’s firefighter occupational disease law to align with recent federal guidance and new research, add cancers relevant to women firefighters, set a five-year employment presumption for listed cancers and expand presumptive protections; testimony from firefighters and unions emphasized lived impact.
House Bill 128, which updates the occupational disease and disablement law for firefighters, won committee support after broad testimony from firefighters, unions and medical experts.
Sponsors said recent federal enactments and evolving cancer research prompted the changes, which add cancers to the presumptive list, remove arbitrary age limits for certain cancers, and standardize a five‑year employment presumption for cancers listed in the act. The bill explicitly references newer occupational-cancer research and federal updates.
Firefighter witnesses provided personal testimony: Miguel Tidman (NMPFA) and Marco Lopez recounted experiences with occupational cancer and the importance of presumptive coverage; Lt. Tom Ruiz described his own recent bladder cancer diagnosis and the role presumptive coverage played in securing treatment and support.
Supporters argued that broader presumptions would spare firefighters and families from lengthy disputes with insurers and workers’ compensation systems. The committee adopted amendments offered and moved for a do‑pass recommendation.
What’s next: The committee reported the bill with a do‑pass recommendation; it will proceed to subsequent legislative steps and any fiscal analyses required by appropriations.