HB 385-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2021 SESSION
21-0481
10/08
HOUSE BILL 385-FN
AN ACT relative to workers' compensation for heart and lung disease in firefighters.
SPONSORS: Rep. M. Pearson, Rock. 34; Rep. S. Pearson, Rock. 6; Rep. Shurtleff, Merr. 11; Rep.
Goley, Hills. 8; Rep. Doucette, Rock. 8; Rep. Pratt, Rock. 3; Rep. Soucy, Merr. 16;
Rep. Lanzara, Hills. 28; Rep. O'Brien, Hills. 36
COMMITTEE: Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
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ANALYSIS
This bill repeals the length of time the presumption of heart or lung disease is occupationally
related for firefighters.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
 HB 385-FN - AS INTRODUCED
21-0481
10/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty One
AN ACT relative to workers' compensation for heart and lung disease in firefighters.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 1 Repeal. RSA 281-A:17, I(c), relative to the length of time the presumption of heart or lung
2 disease in members of fire departments is occupationally related, is repealed.
3 2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
 LBA
21-0481
12/30/20
HB 385-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT relative to workers' compensation for heart and lung disease in firefighters.
FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ X ] County [ X ] Local [ ] None
Estimated Increase / (Decrease)
STATE: FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024
Appropriation $0 $0 $0 $0
Revenue $0 $0 $0 $0
Indeterminable Indeterminable Indeterminable
Expenditures $0
Increase Increase Increase
Funding Source: [ X ] General [ ] Education [ ] Highway [ ] Other
COUNTY:
Revenue $0 $0 $0 $0
Indeterminable Indeterminable Indeterminable
Expenditures $0
Increase Increase Increase
LOCAL:
Revenue $0 $0 $0 $0
Indeterminable Indeterminable Indeterminable
Expenditures $0
Increase Increase Increase
METHODOLOGY:
The New Hampshire Municipal Association states this bill would repeal RSA 281-A:17, I(c),
regarding the presumption that heart or lung disease in firefighters is occupationally related
terminates one month after the firefighter’s 65th birthday. Repealing this limitation could lead
to more claims for workers’ compensation, and increased workers’ compensation rates for
municipalities. However, the Association has no information from which to estimate any
increase in claims or costs. The Association does not expect any impact on municipal revenues.
The Department of Safety indicates this change would increase the potential for continuation of
current claims and make new claims possible. The costs related to the increased claims cannot
be determined, but would impact State, county and local expenditures for workers compensation.
The Department of Labor does not anticipate this bill would impact state, county or local
revenues. In terms of expenditures, the Department states it is possible that extension of the
presumption beyond age 65 could lead to increased expenditures, at the county and local levels
 through an increase in premiums costs for workers' compensation coverage. However, there is
no way for the Department to credibly quantify such potential increase in accepted claims or
premium costs.
It is assumed no fiscal impact will occur until after July 1, 2021.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
New Hampshire Municipal Association and Departments of Safety and Labor


Statutes affected:
Introduced: 281-A:17
Ought to Pass: 281-A:17
latest version: 281-A:17