Modifies provisions relating to line of duty retirement benefits for certain persons exposed to hazardous materials while investigating fires and explosions

HB 1293 modifies retirement benefits for paid firefighters and fire explosion investigators exposed to hazardous materials. It creates a presumption that certain health conditions - like specific infectious diseases (e.g., HIV, TB), heart/lung diseases, or designated cancers - were incurred in the line of duty if they develop after a clean physical exam, unless proven otherwise. To qualify for this presumption, firefighters must undergo annual physicals with blood tests for infectious disease claims, and cancer claims require proof that tobacco use didn’t contribute. The law applies to all paid members of fire departments and fire explosion investigators across state jurisdictions.