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SB 849

Relating to the School Districts Unfunded Liability Fund; and declaring an emergency.

2025 Regular Session

Increases annual funding to at least $1 million for Maryland's firefighter cancer screening program and allows up to 20% for research centers to analyze outcomes.

Effective date, May 5, 2025.
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Bill Summary · SB 849

SB 849 — Professional and Volunteer Firefighter Innovative Cancer Screening Technologies Program — Funding

Chapter 640 (Approved by Governor), Laws of Maryland 2025

Purpose / Intent

To increase the State’s intended funding for the Professional and Volunteer Firefighter Innovative Cancer Screening Technologies Program and to allow a portion of program funds to support academic medical research centers for data collection and analysis — with the aim of improving the effectiveness and clinical utility of novel cancer screening technologies for firefighters.

Key provisions

  • Funding level: For fiscal year 2025 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor may include at least $1,000,000 annually in the State budget for the Program (previously at least $500,000 under prior law).
  • Research support: The Secretary of Health may use up to 20% of Program funds (up to $200,000 if $1.0M is appropriated) to support academic medical research centers — expressly including the University of Maryland Institute for Health Computing — to collect, analyze, and process Program outcome data.
  • Audit and oversight: Program appropriations and expenditures remain subject to audit by the Office of Legislative Audits; MDH must continue required reporting to the General Assembly as provided by existing law.
  • Sunset: The Act takes effect July 1, 2025, and sunsets June 30, 2030 (5-year duration).

Who is affected

  • Professional and volunteer firefighters (primary beneficiaries): local fire departments and volunteer fire companies are eligible to apply for Program grants to procure innovative cancer screening tests not routinely available or covered by insurance.
  • Maryland Department of Health (MDH): administers grants and may allocate funds to research centers; MDH may incur additional administrative costs.
  • Academic medical/research centers: eligible to receive up to 20% of Program funds for evaluation and research activities.
  • Local governments/fire companies: may see increased grant funding available for screening.

Fiscal and operational impacts

  • If full $1.0M is appropriated annually, MDH general fund expenditures increase by an estimated $400,000 per year (based on FY2026 baseline of $600,000), including up to $200,000 to research centers and at least $740,000 available for grants in the first year scenario described by the fiscal note.
  • MDH anticipates a part‑time (0.5 FTE) program administrator (estimated FY2026 cost ~$59,757).
  • Local revenues/expenditures may increase to the extent local departments receive grants and provide screenings.

Background

The Program (established in 2019) provides grants to local fire entities to pilot or adopt novel cancer screening technologies aimed at reducing firefighter cancer mortality and advancing early detection tools. Recent Program usage included multi-cancer early detection blood testing; the fiscal note reported 513 individuals screened in 2024 at an average per-test cost reported by the vendor.

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

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