NC H276

Expands the definition of "killed in the line of duty" under the Public Safety Employees' Death Benefits Act to include any cancer diagnosis that qualified a firefighter for benefits under the Firefighters' Cancer Insurance Program or the Firefighters' Health Benefits Pilot Program

Currently recognized occupational cancers for line-of-duty death benefits include mesothelioma, testicular cancer, small intestine cancer, esophageal cancer, oral cavity cancer, and pharynx cancer

Establishes that firefighters who received benefits under the Firefighters' Health Benefits Pilot Program are deemed to have received benefits under the permanent Firefighters' Cancer Insurance Program

Appropriates $2,000,000 in recurring funds from the General Fund to the Department of State Treasurer for each year of the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium to cover death benefits related to this expansion

Effective July 1, 2025, applying to qualifying deaths occurring on or after that date