MS HB1531

Extends Mississippi First Responders Health and Safety Act coverage to retired first responders who retired between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2025, or who retire on or after July 1, 2025, for a five-year eligibility period.

Provides retired first responders with lump-sum cancer benefits of $35,000 for major diagnoses or $6,250 for less severe diagnoses, with a lifetime cap of $50,000, but excludes disability benefits available to active first responders.

Requires employers to show proof of insurance coverage for retired first responders to the Commissioner of Insurance by January 1, 2026.

Clarifies that employers must bear all costs of cancer coverage insurance for both active and retired first responders, which cannot be funded by individual employees.

Maintains the definition of covered cancers as bladder, brain, colon, liver, pancreas, skin, kidney, gastrointestinal tract, reproductive tract, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, prostate, testicles, and breast.