This bill amends the Workers' Compensation Act of June 2, 1915, specifically addressing compensation for firefighters suffering from cancer. It stipulates that compensation will only be available to firefighters who have served at least four years in continuous firefighting duties, can demonstrate direct exposure to carcinogens, and have passed a physical examination prior to filing a claim. The bill removes the previous provision that allowed for the presumption of causation to be rebutted by substantial competent evidence. Instead, it introduces a new standard requiring that any denial of a claim must be based on clear and convincing medical evidence that the firefighter's cancer was not caused or materially contributed to by their occupation. Additionally, it allows for rebuttal of the presumption if evidence shows that tobacco use is the major contributing cause of the cancer.

Furthermore, the bill specifies that claims made by volunteer firefighters must be supported by documentation of direct exposure to carcinogens as per the Pennsylvania Fire Information Reporting System. It also extends the timeframe for filing cancer-related claims from the previous 300 weeks to 600 weeks after the last date of employment in a relevant occupation. However, the presumption of causation will only apply to claims made within the first 300 weeks. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.