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HF 4446

Survivor benefits eligibility expanded to include when a public safety officer dies in the line of duty from an exposure-related cancer.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Pete Johnson and 5 co-sponsors

Expands survivor benefits by recognizing exposure-related cancers as a valid basis for line-of-duty death presumptions for public safety officers.

Author added Youakim
#death #healthandhealthdepartment #policeandpeaceofficers #publicsafetydepartment
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Bill Summary · HF 4446

Summary of HF 4446 (Session 2025-2026) — Minnesota

Purpose and intent

HF 4446 expands survivor benefits eligibility to include deaths of public safety officers (PSOs) that are the direct and proximate result of exposure-related cancer. The bill adds carcinogen exposure considerations to the “killed in the line of duty” presumption, creating a pathway for survivor benefits and claims when cancer is exposure-related.

Key provisions and changes

1) Definitions added and updated

  • Carcinogen (Subdivision 1a)
    • Defines “carcinogen” as an agent classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in Group 1 or Group 2A and reasonably linked to exposure-related cancer.
  • Exposure-related cancer (Subdivision 2a)
    • Lists cancers eligible under this framework, including: bladder, brain, breast, cervical, colon, colorectal, esophageal, kidney, leukemia, lung, malignant melanoma, mesothelioma, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, ovarian, prostate, skin, stomach, testicular, thyroid cancer, and any form added by future updates.

2) Expanded “killed in the line of duty” criteria (Subdivision 3)

  • The existing framework for line-of-duty deaths is amended to cover exposure-related cancer under the following conditions:
    • The cancer arises from exposure that occurred while acting in the line-of-duty as a PSO.
    • The PSO began serving at least five years before diagnosis.
    • Diagnosis occurred within 15 years after the last active service date.
    • The cancer directly and proximately results in death.
  • The presumption can be rebutted with competent medical evidence showing the exposure was not a substantial contributing factor.
  • The bill also maintains coverage for deaths caused by suicide linked to PTSD or traumatic events, consistent with existing provisions.

3) Updates to covered exposure-related cancers (Section 299A.412)

  • Requires the commissioner to review and, if appropriate, update the list of exposure-related cancers at least every three years via rule.
  • Enables consideration of evidence from federal and scientific bodies (NIOSH, NTP, NAS, IARC) and allows petitions to add new cancers, with a process to evaluate and communicate actions to legislative chairs within set timelines.

4) Claims process for exposure-related cancers (Section 299A.413)

  • Allows individuals to file claims predicated on a PSO’s line-of-duty death due to exposure-related cancer for deaths occurring on or after January 1, 2020.
  • If a death occurred after January 1, 2020 but before enactment, eligible claimants have three years from enactment to file.

Who is affected

  • Public safety officers and their survivors seeking line-of-duty death benefits when death is caused by exposure-related cancer.
  • Families and estates of PSOs who meet the criteria for exposure-related cancer presumptions.
  • The Minnesota Department of Public Safety and related administrative bodies responsible for processing survivor benefit claims and updating cancer listings.

Procedural and timeline considerations

  • Regular review cycle: commissioner must review exposure-related cancer definitions at least every three years and consider updates based on credible medical evidence.
  • Petition process: members of the public may petition to add cancers to the exposure-related list; the commissioner must refer petitions to medical experts within 180 days and act promptly on recommendations, with notification to legislative leadership within 30 days of substantive action.
  • Claims window: new law opens eligibility for claims tied to deaths caused by exposure-related cancer dating back to January 1, 2020, with a three-year filing window post-enactment for deaths that occurred in that period.

Summary

HF 4446 broadens survivor benefits by recognizing exposure-related cancers as a basis for the line-of-duty death presumption for public safety officers. It defines a specific list of cancers tied to carcinogenic exposure, establishes criteria tying diagnosis to active service and timing, creates a mechanism for ongoing updates to the cancer list, and provides a stated filing window for eligible claims. The bill aims to improve financial and survivor support for families affected by long-latency cancer risks associated with public safety work.

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

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