Committee hears bill to extend presumed line‑of‑duty benefits to firefighters with certain cancers

Representative Johnson introduced House File 4446, saying the bill would recognize survivors of public safety officers who die from certain exposure‑related cancers as eligible for Minnesota line‑of‑duty death benefits. He told the committee the proposal would align state law with a new federal statute and make state certification an important factor in federal determinations.

Scott Fadness, president of the Minnesota Professional Firefighters, testified in support and described research linking firefighting to elevated cancer risk. He cited federal and international work showing certain cancers are more prevalent among first responders and recounted the case of firefighter Mike Leiter, who responded to thousands of emergency calls and later died from acute myeloid leukemia after a brief illness. Fadness said that local findings — including a state Public Safety determination that Leiter’s death was related to his 15 years of service — helped trigger the federal Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act and motivated the state proposal.

Committee members and the sponsor emphasized that the bill is intended to honor service and help families who lose a loved one to work‑related cancer. Members discussed prevention steps the state and departments have taken — such as changes in training, personal protective equipment, gear laundering, exhaust mitigation and limits on PFAS — while noting those steps do not eliminate long‑term cancer risk.

Representative Johnson renewed his motion to lay over House File 4446 so the committee can continue consideration. No formal amendments were offered during the hearing.