HB35 Summary

• Extends line of duty death benefits to survivors of volunteer firefighters who die from work-related cancer, matching existing protections for paid firefighters.

• Covers 20 specific cancer types including bladder, brain, breast, lung, prostate, and leukemia, as well as Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

• Requires volunteer firefighters to have passed a pre-certification physical without evidence of cancer, completed at least six years of service, and been actively serving when symptoms began.

• Presumes cancer death arose from firefighter service if the volunteer was exposed to a known carcinogen on the job, unless the state proves otherwise by preponderance of evidence.

• Becomes effective October 1, 2025.