2008 -- H 7171

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2008

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A N A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- FIREFIGHTER CANCER WELLNESS

     Introduced By: Representatives Picard, Long, Loughlin, and Slater

     Date Introduced: January 22, 2008

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "Health and Safety" is hereby

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amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

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     CHAPTER 12.8

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THE FIREFIGHTER CANCER WELLNESS ACT

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     23-12.8-1. Short title. – This chapter shall be known and may be cited as "The

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Firefighter Cancer Wellness Act."

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     23-12.8-2. Legislative findings. – It is found and declared as follows:

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     (1) According to 2001-2002 statistics from the National Cancer Institute, Rhode Island

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has the nation's highest incidence rate of bladder cancer found in any state, with twenty-eight and

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eight-tenths (28.8) cases per one hundred thousand (100,000) residents as compared with a

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nationwide annual incidence rate of twenty and nine-tenths (20.9) per one hundred thousand

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(100,000) residents.

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     (2) Studies have shown that incidents of bladder cancer among firefighters occur at a

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significantly higher rate than that of the general population due to their exposure to toxic

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chemicals.

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     (3) Bladder cancer is one of the most deadly cancers, if not detected. If diagnosed in its

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early stages, bladder cancer has a five (5) year survival rate over ninety percent (90%). If

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diagnosed at an advanced stage, the five (5) year survival rate is less than ten percent (10%).

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     (4) Previously, bladder cancer screening required expensive and invasive testing.

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Modern technology now allows for simple, inexpensive and noninvasive screening. It now costs

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far more to treat one victim of advanced stage bladder cancer than to screen thousands of

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firefighters.

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     (5) The state of Rhode Island must take action to promote firefighter wellness and to

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ensure the health and safety of its firefighters from a disease which can be treated, if detected

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early.

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     23-12.8-3. Program established. – (a) The director of the department of health shall

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establish, promote and maintain a public information program regarding the incidence of bladder

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cancer in professional and volunteer firefighters in Rhode Island in order to encourage such

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persons to seek medical care for the prevention or treatment of any malignant conditions resulting

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from occupational exposure to hazardous materials. Firefighter participation in this wellness

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program shall be voluntary.

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     (b) This wellness program shall be conducted throughout the state and shall include, but

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not be limited to:

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     (1) Preemployment testing, annual testing and other follow-up testing as may be

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recommended by the department;

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     (2) Data collection of all incidences of bladder cancer in firefighters and related

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professions in Rhode Island; and

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     (3) A program of education for such groups.

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     (c) The wellness program shall emphasize the need for annual testing and the need to

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remain informed about additional developments concerning links between firefighters'

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occupational exposure to hazardous materials and bladder cancer.

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     (d) The director shall designate and may enter into contracts with providers of health care

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and/or bladder cancer testing materials for the purpose of establishing screening programs for

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firefighters and related professions. In selecting provider(s), the director shall consider such

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provider's compliance with state and federal standards, the provider's location in relation to

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geographical distribution of firefighters, and the capacity of such provider to properly screen for

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bladder cancer using the most accurate and economically efficient means available.

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     (e) The department shall, on or before January 31st of each year, submit a report to the

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general assembly of its findings and recommendations concerning the effectiveness, impact and

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benefits derived from the program.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- FIREFIGHTER CANCER WELLNESS

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     This act would create a program directed by the department of health to test for, collect

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data on, and to educate firefighters in awareness of bladder cancer.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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