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SF 272

A bill for an act concerning retirement and employment benefits associated with cancer, and making appropriations.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dan Dawson

SF 272 expands retirement and disability benefits for public safety employees diagnosed with cancer, ensuring broader coverage and requiring local governments to comply.

Subcommittee recommends amendment and passage.
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Bill Summary · SF 272

Summary of Bill SF 272

Title: A bill for an act concerning retirement and employment benefits associated with cancer, and making appropriations.

Bill Number: SF 272
Introduced: February 11, 2025
Status: Subcommittee recommends amendment and passage
Classification: Bill
Subject Areas: Appropriations, Cancer, City Government, Employee Benefits, Labor and Employment, Management Department, Public Employees, Public Employees' Retirement System, Public Safety Peace Officers' Retirement System, Retirement, Retirement Plans

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of SF 272 is to enhance retirement and employment benefits for public safety employees diagnosed with cancer. The bill aims to broaden the definition of "cancer" to include a wider range of cancer diagnoses, thereby expanding the benefits available to affected employees under specific retirement systems.

Key Provisions

  1. Expanded Definition of Cancer:

    • The bill modifies the existing definition of "cancer" by removing references to specific types of cancer and replacing them with a more generalized description. This change is intended to ensure that more cancer diagnoses are recognized for the purposes of benefits.

  2. Accidental Disability and Death Benefits:

    • By broadening the definition of cancer, the bill increases the availability of accidental disability and death benefits for members of the Peace Officers’ Retirement System (PORS) and the Municipal Fire and Police Retirement System (411 system) who receive a cancer diagnosis.

  3. In-Service Disability Retirement Allowance:

    • The bill also extends the new definition of cancer to the Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System (IPERS), specifically for special service members, thereby allowing for in-service disability retirement allowances for a broader range of cancer diagnoses.

  4. State Mandate Compliance:

    • The bill may impose a state mandate as defined in Iowa Code section 25B.3. It specifies that political subdivisions are required to comply with any state mandate included in the bill, as it makes certain provisions of Iowa Code section 25B.2 inapplicable, which would typically relieve them from compliance if funding is not provided.

Affected Parties

  • Public Safety Employees: Members of the PORS and the 411 system who are diagnosed with cancer will benefit from expanded disability and death benefits.
  • Political Subdivisions: Local governments and political subdivisions will be required to comply with the mandates set forth in the bill, regardless of funding availability.

Procedural Timeline

  • February 11, 2025: Bill introduced and referred to the State Government committee.
  • February 20, 2025: Subcommittee formed, consisting of members Webster, Bousselot, and Townsend.
  • February 24, 2025: Subcommittee meeting scheduled for February 26, 2025, at 3:30 PM in the Senate Lounge.
  • March 3, 2025: Subcommittee recommends amendment and passage of the bill.

Conclusion

SF 272 seeks to provide critical support to public safety employees facing cancer diagnoses by expanding their retirement and disability benefits. The bill's amendments aim to ensure that a broader range of cancer types are recognized, thereby enhancing the protections and benefits available to these workers. Compliance requirements for political subdivisions are also a significant aspect of this legislation.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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