FL H0695

Creates section 112.1816, Florida Statutes, establishing cancer-related benefits for full-time firefighters employed by fire departments or public safety agencies.

Firefighters diagnosed with cancer receive a $25,000 cash payout and group health insurance coverage for cancer treatment at no cost to the firefighter, provided they have 5 continuous years of employment, no tobacco use in the preceding 5 years, and no other high-risk cancer employment in the preceding 5 years.

Firefighters with employer-sponsored retirement plans are considered totally and permanently disabled due to cancer diagnosis; those without such plans receive disability retirement benefits of at least 42 percent of annual salary until death.

Firefighters who die from cancer or cancer treatment are considered to have died in the line of duty, entitling beneficiaries to death benefits of at least 42 percent of the firefighter's most recent annual salary for at least 10 years.

All costs for benefits must be borne solely by the employer and cannot be funded by firefighters or firefighter-funded insurance trust funds; the Division of the State Fire Marshal must adopt rules on cancer prevention best practices.