All Roll Calls
Yes: 192 • No: 1
ConnecticutSB 014262025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
AN ACT MAKING CHANGES TO THE FIREFIGHTERS CANCER RELIEF PROGRAM.
Sponsored By: Labor and Public Employees Committee
Signed by Governor
Summary
To amend the Firefighters Cancer Relief Program to expand coverage to conditions of cancer affecting the skin, expand benefits to firefighters employed by the state and surviving dependents of firefighters that have applied for benefits and make other clarifying changes.
labor and public employees
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
More firefighters qualify for cancer benefits
Beginning October 1, 2025, Connecticut expands firefighter cancer relief to include skin cancer and qualifying state-employed firefighters. Covered cancers also affect the brain, skeletal, digestive, endocrine, respiratory, lymphatic, reproductive, urinary, and blood systems. For compensation, the cancer must meet work-related disease rules and cause death or temporary or permanent, total or partial disability. Firefighters can combine qualifying jobs to meet the five-year service requirement. These include paid or volunteer interior structural firefighting and fire marshal, investigator, or inspector jobs meeting state qualification standards. The physical exam after entering service must show no evidence of the cancer; the law removes the cancer-propensity test. Remaining requirements include no cigarette use during the 15 years before diagnosis and annual screenings recommended by a medical provider. Eligible former firefighters can apply within five years of their last service.
Continued cancer benefits for firefighters’ survivors
Beginning October 1, 2025, eligible surviving dependents can file a workers’ compensation claim within one year after a firefighter’s death. The firefighter must have died from cancer and received or applied for cancer relief compensation or benefits. Dependents keep receiving cancer relief account benefits until the workers’ compensation claim is approved. Dependents who do not file within one year may continue receiving account benefits.
Help with firefighters’ uncovered cancer costs
Beginning October 1, 2025, the cancer relief account reimburses treatment costs not covered by personal or group health insurance. Treatment must meet Connecticut’s workers’ compensation treatment standards. Program compensation matches workers’ compensation amounts and payment rules for a work-related disease. Applicable retirement or survivor benefits match those for a work-related disease, through covered retirement systems or the Connecticut State Firefighters Association. Existing offsets reduce program payments for retirement, workers’ compensation, or other health-related benefits tied to the cancer. Municipal and state employers administer claims and pay benefits first, then seek reimbursement from the State Treasurer. The Treasurer must process reimbursement applications within 45 days of receipt and may audit reimbursements.
Firefighter funding risks and backup claims
Beginning October 1, 2025, employers no longer have to continue program benefits if the cancer relief account becomes insolvent. This removes the payment guarantee; it does not automatically stop benefits. Firefighters generally cannot file a workers’ compensation cancer claim while receiving program compensation. After notice of account insolvency, firefighters have a one-year window to pursue workers’ compensation eligibility.
Firefighters can challenge cancer benefit denials
Beginning October 1, 2025, firefighters denied cancer relief benefits can request reconsideration before an administrative law judge. Firefighters must notify both the Workers’ Compensation Commission and their employer using workers’ compensation claim procedures. Judges review disputes using workers’ compensation procedures and can require testimony, records, and depositions; the Superior Court can enforce their orders. District assignment rules govern hearings, generally using the first hearing request when several districts are involved. Judges leaving office can finish or settle unfinished matters tied to appealed cases. Separately, program payments cannot serve as evidence supporting a later workers’ compensation claim.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Labor and Public Employees Committee
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/6/2025
House Roll Call Vote 74
Yes: 144 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/6/2025
Senate Roll Call Vote 102
Yes: 36 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/6/2025
LAB Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)
Yes: 12 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
Transmitted to the Secretary of State
5/15/2025legislaturePublic Act 25-4
5/14/2025legislatureSigned by Governor in Original
5/8/2025legislatureRules Suspended, Transmitted to the Governor
5/7/2025legislatureIn Concurrence
5/7/2025legislatureHouse Passed
5/7/2025HouseHouse Calendar Number 521
5/1/2025HouseFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, House
5/1/2025HouseSenate Passed
4/30/2025SenateFile Number 176
3/20/2025legislatureSenate Calendar Number 140
3/20/2025SenateFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
3/20/2025SenateReported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office
3/20/2025legislatureReferred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis 03/19/25 5:00 PM
3/14/2025legislatureFiled with Legislative Commissioners' Office
3/7/2025legislatureJoint Favorable
3/6/2025legislaturePublic Hearing 03/04
2/28/2025legislatureReferred to Joint Committee on Labor and Public Employees
2/27/2025legislature
Bill Text
Public Act No. 25-4
5/7/2025
File No. 176
3/20/2025
LAB Joint Favorable
3/6/2025
Raised Bill
2/27/2025
Bill Analysis For File Copy 176
Fiscal Note For File Copy 176
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 7576 (No Fiscal Impact)
House Roll Call Vote 74
LAB Joint Fav. Rpt
LAB Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)
Senate LCO Amendment #7576 (R)
Senate Roll Call Vote 102
Summary for Public Act No. 25-4
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