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Firefighter health and safety bill passes Montana House committee

Posted at 5:01 PM, Apr 04, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-04 19:01:12-04

— Story by Margaret DeMarco – MTN News

GREAT FALLS – The Health and Safety Bill for firefighters has passed out of a Montana House committee.

The Business and Labor Committee passed Senate Bill 160 with a 19-0 vote on Wednesday.

The bill, first introduced by Sen. Nate McConnell (D-Missoula) in January, would provide coverage to firefighters who develop illnesses related to their job.

Firefighters have worked for almost two decades to pass a law that will protect them from on-the-job illness, such as cancer and communicable diseases.

Firefighters hope the 66th Montana Legislature will help them join 47 other states who currently have protection in place for their firefighters.

The bill has already passed the Senate and is now headed to the House floor. No date has yet been set for when the first reading will take place.