Relates to providing enhanced cancer disability benefits to volunteer firefighters

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Rebecca Kassay

Expands enhanced disability benefits for volunteer firefighters who develop cancer, with local governments responsible for administering and funding the support.

REFERRED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

Bill Summary: A 6572

Bill at a glance

Bill Number: A 6572

Title: Relates to providing enhanced cancer disability benefits to volunteer firefighters

Sponsor: Rebecca Kassay (primary)

Status: REFERRED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

Introduced: March 6, 2025

Classification: bill

Related legislation:

Companion: S 5475 (companion)
Related prior-session: S 5854, S 970, S 5231

Legislative Actions

2025-03-06: REFERRED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS (listed twice in the provided actions)

Purpose and Intent

The bill seeks to establish or relate to enhanced disability benefits for cancer experienced by volunteer firefighters. Based on the title, its intent is to improve or expand disability benefits specifically for cancers affecting volunteers, likely to provide better compensation, rights, or access to supports for firefighters who develop cancer in the course of service. The exact scope, eligibility criteria, benefit levels, and funding mechanism are not included in the information provided.

Key Provisions (Not Available in the Provided Text)

The actual text of A 6572 is not included in the briefing. Therefore, the specific provisions, such as:
- who qualifies (which categories of volunteer firefighters, age limits, service requirements),
- what benefits are enhanced (monthly disability payments, medical coverage, survivor benefits, return-to-work provisions),
- duration and caps of benefits,
- funding sources (local government allocations, state funds, or insurance-based mechanisms),
- administration (which department or agency administers the program),
- retroactivity or applicability to existing claims,
are not detailed here. Readers should consult the bill text or the legislative docket for precise provisions.

Who Would Be Affected

Primary beneficiaries: Volunteer firefighters who develop cancer and would seek enhanced disability benefits.

Secondary affected parties: Local governments or municipalities that employ or oversee volunteer firefighter programs and would administer or fund enhanced benefits; state or local agencies involved in disability or workers’ compensation programs (depending on the final text).

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

The bill has been introduced and immediately referred to the Local Governments committee, indicating initial committee-stage consideration is expected. No further actions or timelines are listed in the provided information.

A companion bill exists (S 5475), which may mirror or inform A 6572’s provisions; tracking both could provide a fuller picture of intended reforms.

How to Track and Get Details

Review the full bill text when released by the legislature to see exact provisions, eligibility, funding, and administration details.

Monitor committee hearings and amendments in the Local Governments committee.

Compare with companion S 5475 and prior-session bills (S 5854, S 970, S 5231) for context and potential language changes.