SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – Gov. Glenn Youngkin was at a Suffolk fire station Friday to sign four bills into law, among them expanding health care services to firefighters and law enforcement, along with another bill creating new training methods on how to attack electric vehicle fires which burn hotter and are harder to put out on the roads with water.
Below are the following bills that will were signed during the event:
- HB 1408 (Emily Brewer) and SB 906 (Dick Saslaw) – Workers’ compensation; presumption of compensability of certain cancers
- HB 2451 (Israel O’Quinn) – Firefighter; training program on risk of electric vehicle fires
- HB 1775 (O’Quinn) and SB 904 (Bill DeSteph) – Workers’ compensation; anxiety disorder or depressive disorder incurred by law enforcement officers
During the signing ceremony, Youngkin took a moment to remember Virginia Beach Firefighter Matt Chiaverotti, who died in the line of duty from thyroid cancer.
“Chevy is remembered as a hero with a true servants heart,” Youngkin said, “and while the legislation I will sign today was not in place during Chevy’s battle with thyroid cancer, may his life serve as a reminder of the importance of supporting our heroes.”
Del. Emily Brewer (R-64th District) sponsored HB1408.
“It’s just so incredibly vital to make sure that we continually add cancers, like bladder and thyroid, to the statute to make sure that after they’ve protected us we are there to protect them,” Brewer said.
Suffolk Fire Chief Michael Barakey said he was representing chiefs from across Hampton Roads in the signing of the workers’ compensation bill.
“This legislation was huge,” Barakey said, “and offers that little bit of comfort on the workers comp side that we’re at least able to have our families and ourselves know that we have our backs covered by legislation.”
