Florida Lawmakers Tweak Cancer Benefits for Firefighters

In 2019 Florida lawmakers, after a hard-fought legislative effort, provided benefits—outside the workers’ compensation system—for firefighters diagnosed with 21 types of cancer.

On Monday, the Florida House of Representatives gave final passage to Senate Bill 984, which would speed up the benefits for survivors and would extend one-time payments to former firefighters diagnosed with cancer.

“Firefighters across Florida put their lives and long-term health on the line every day for our communities. This bill ensures that when those risks lead to cancer, our laws are clear, fair and compassionate,” Rep. Demi Busatta, R-Miami, said on the House floor.

The House voted 109-0 for the bill, adopting the version approved by the state Senate on Feb. 26. If signed into law, the measure would require municipalities and other employers to provide a one-time, $25,000 payment to current as well as former firefighters, for up to 10 years after leaving employment, regardless of whether the worker elected to continue a group health plan.

The bill also would provide that a $75,000 survivors’ benefit, already in statute, be made to a deceased firefighters’ beneficiaries within one year of the firefighter’s last employment.

In the last decade, most U.S. states have adopted some type of cancer benefit plan or workers’ compensation presumption for firefighters, who are exposed to a wide range of cancer-causing chemicals found in smoke, soot and other compounds encountered in fighting fires. A legislative analysis of the Florida bill can be seen here.

Photo: AdobeStock

Topics Legislation Florida