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Senate subcommittee advances bill presuming strokes are job‑related for firefighters (H3163)
Summary
By voice vote the subcommittee advanced H3163, which would add stroke as a presumed workers' compensation condition for firefighters and change the standard from 'active fire suppression' to 'actively on duty'; sponsors and firefighter organizations said the change would provide clarity, reduce litigation and cover events tied to training and rescues.
Representative Mark Smith, sponsor of House bill H3163, told the Senate Judiciary subcommittee the measure would amend the code to add stroke as a presumed condition for firefighters and to update the standard to "actively on duty," a change Smith said reflects modern 24–48 hour shifts and continuous exposure.
"If the job can cause it, the system should cover it," Smith said, describing the bill as a clear fix that passed unanimously in earlier stages. He said the bill does not create automatic claims, does not remove medical review, and does not expand coverage beyond firefighters.
Testimony from firefighter representatives emphasized real cases they said the bill would cover. John Baker, director of government relations for the Professional Firefighters Association and an active Charleston firefighter, said cardiac events and strokes have occurred during mandated workouts, rescues and long incidents; he said the bill would close a gap that has left survivors to navigate care and costs alone.
"These are real world examples that highlight the gap this bill seeks to close," Baker said. Jamie Helms, executive director of the South Carolina State Firefighters Association, and Sean Foyce, speaking for Professional Firefighters of South Carolina, also urged passage, saying current law forces firefighters to prove the timing of an event instead of recognizing causation.
No opponents signed up to testify before the subcommittee. Members moved and seconded a motion to report the bill favorably, and the committee advanced H3163 to the full committee by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded.
Supporters said the bill will provide clearer, more consistent claims decisions and reduce litigation; opponents were not recorded in the subcommittee hearing. The next step is full-committee consideration.
