Virginia lawmakers are ready to make some big changes to the state's disease presumption law for first responders. These changes include adding three new types of cancer, removing the "toxic substances" exposure requirement, and limiting the time period within which a first responder can apply for workers' compensation following a diagnosis. The bill will also limit workers' compensation benefits for firefighters that suffer from heart disease or hypertension, to those with five or more years of experience. The state currently has no time limit for those two diseases.

The three new cancer conditions added by the house bill would be testicular, colon and brain cancers. Firefighters diagnosed with these conditions before July 1 will not be eligible for compensation benefits, only those diagnosed after July 1, 2020. Also, the time served in order to be eligible for such cancer compensation will be cut from 12 years of service, to five.

With the exception of one absent lawmaker, H.B. 783 passed unanimously this week.