STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 640-26
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2026
RE: H.B. No. 2387
H.D. 1
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2026
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committee on Labor, to which was referred H.B. No. 2387 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION MEDICAL BENEFITS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to:
(1) Expand workers' compensation medical benefits for firefighters by broadening the list of covered cancers and diseases; and
(2) Specifying that employers may deny coverage only if they prove the cancer or disease was not associated with firefighting duties.
Your Committee finds that firefighters face significantly higher exposure to carcinogens and toxic substances in the line of duty, resulting in elevated cancer rates compared to the general population. Existing workers' compensation protections cover only a limited list of cancers, leaving many firefighters without adequate medical support for conditions strongly linked to occupational hazards. Your Committee believes that expanding the list of covered cancers and diseases and strengthening the presumption of work-related illness will better protect firefighter health and ensure timely access to essential medical care.
Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2387, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2387, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor,
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____________________________ JACKSON D. SAYAMA, Chair |
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