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Committee advances bill extending line-of-duty cancer benefits to volunteer firefighters
Summary
The Ways and Means General Fund Committee gave HB 35 a favorable report to extend line-of-duty cancer death benefits to certified volunteer firefighters who meet experience and medical-eligibility requirements.
Representative Betsold presented House Bill 35 to the Ways and Means General Fund Committee, saying the bill would extend the same line-of-duty cancer death benefits currently available to paid firefighters to certified volunteer firefighters.
"This would provide in-line-of-duty death benefits, cancer benefits for volunteer firefighters," Representative Betzold said, and explained the bill requires certification, at least six years of service and a medical physical to qualify.
Committee members noted the bill mirrors benefits for paid firefighters and emphasized volunteers serve roughly 80 percent of the state’s population. Representative Munoz seconded the motion to advance the bill. The committee voted to give HB 35 a favor report.
No statutory citations or cost figures were presented during the discussion on the committee floor; the bill was described as substantially similar to legislation the committee passed previously but which did not clear the Senate last year.
HB 35 now moves forward with a committee favor report; further action and any fiscal impacts will be determined in subsequent stages of the legislative process.
