House adopts bill expanding presumptive cancers for firefighter death benefits

The Kentucky House adopted House Bill 34 on Jan. 27, 2026, a measure described on the floor as expanding the cancers recognized for death-benefit purposes for members of the fire service. The clerk reported Representative Monta as the sponsor; the floor explanation was provided by the member from Kenton (63).

The explaining member said the bill would broaden the list of recognized cancers—citing examples including mesothelioma, esophageal, lung, rectal, thyroid and others—and noted the change follows actions taken in surrounding states and at the federal level. "This bill would expand current recognized cancers to include the scope of cancers related to the fire service that's been done in surrounding states and the federal government," the explaining member stated on the floor.

The House voted by roll call; the clerk recorded 92 members voting in favor and no members voting nay, and the clerk declared House Bill 34 passed. The journal does not record amendments adopted on the floor during that consideration.

Proponents on the floor presented the change as bringing Kentucky in line with other jurisdictions and as a way to ensure that service-related cancers for firefighters are recognized for death-benefit purposes. The record does not include committee-level details or an associated fiscal note in the floor explanation; such information will be part of committee reports or the bill file as it moves through the legislative process.