The proposed bill HB2117 amends Arizona's workers' compensation law to extend the presumption of occupational disease to the reoccurrence of previously diagnosed cancers. Under the current law, specific criteria must be met for a cancer diagnosis to be presumed as arising from employment, including prior physical examinations and age restrictions. The new bill clarifies that if the initial cancer diagnosis met these requirements, any subsequent reoccurrence of that cancer will also be presumed to arise out of employment.

Additionally, the bill explicitly states the legislature's intent for reoccurring cancers that were initially eligible for coverage to continue to be eligible under the amended law. This change aims to provide better support for firefighters and fire investigators who may face multiple cancer diagnoses as a result of their occupational exposure.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 23-901.09
House Engrossed Version: 23-901.09