Purpose

Expand survivor benefits for public safety officers by allowing a death in the line of duty to be recognized when caused by exposure-related cancer. Create and update a list of cancers tied to occupational exposure, define what counts as exposure-related cancer, and ensure processes for updating the list and filing claims. Also include certain mental health-related deaths (PTSD-related suicides) as line-of-duty deaths under specific conditions, and set eligibility rules for claims filed after January 1, 2020.

Key definitions and scope

• Carcinogen: An agent classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as Group 1 or Group 2A and reasonably linked to exposure-related cancer.
• Exposure-related cancer: A defined list of cancers (e.g., bladder, brain, breast, cervical, colon/colorectal, esophageal, kidney, leukemia, lung, malignant melanoma, mesothelioma, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, ovarian, prostate, skin, stomach, testicular, thyroid) plus any other cancer added later through the update process.
• On what counts as a line-of-duty death: Deaths that occur while acting in the course and scope of duties, including deaths from accidental means, and certain deaths from heart attack, stroke, or vascular rupture that are directly connected to work-related injuries or stress, including during training or other emergency activity.

Main provisions

• Expand who is eligible for survivor benefits
  • Public safety officers killed in the line of duty may be recognized when caused by exposure-related cancer that resulted from exposure to a carcinogen in the course of duties.
  • A death from a heart attack, stroke, or vascular rupture can be presumed to be work-related if it happened while on duty during a work-related, nonroutine, stressful or strenuous activity, or during a related training exercise, and occurred within a specified time frame.
  • Deaths from suicide may be included as killed in the line of duty if related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as described in the DSM, or if the death occurred within 45 days after exposure to a traumatic event while on duty.
• Conditions around exposure-related cancers
  • To count as an exposure-related cancer for line-of-duty purposes, the cancer must be linked to exposure to a carcinogen while the officer was on duty, the officer must have started public safety service at least five years before diagnosis, and the cancer must be diagnosed no more than 15 years after the officer’s last active service.
  • The presumption that the cancer is work-related can be rebutted if competent medical evidence shows the exposure was not a substantial contributing factor to the death.

Updates to coverage and how cancers are added

• Regular review and updates
  • The state’s commissioner must review the exposure-related cancer definition at least every three years and may update it by rule if there is evidence of significant risk to officers.
  • Updates may be based on credible medical evidence and recommendations from national health and scientific bodies (e.g., NIOSH, National Toxicology Program, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, IARC).
• Petitions to add cancers
  • Anyone can petition to add a cancer to the exposure-related list.
  • Petitions must show there is significant medical evidence of risk to officers from exposure during public safety work.
  • The commissioner must refer petitions to medical experts within 180 days, consider their recommendations, take action, and promptly notify legislative chairs of relevant committees about substantive actions.

Claims process and filing deadlines

• Eligibility to file claims
  • An individual may file a claim for a death that is the direct and proximate result of an exposure-related cancer if the death occurred on or after January 1, 2020.
• Filing window for past cases
  • For deaths occurring after January 1, 2020 but before enactment, eligible claimants have three years from final enactment to file.

Practical impact

• More types of deaths will be recognized as line-of-duty deaths, including those caused by specific exposure-related cancers and certain PTSD-related suicides, under defined conditions.
• The list of cancers tied to public safety exposure can grow over time with scientific input and formal petitions.
• There is a structured process for updating definitions and for petitioning to add new cancers, with clear timelines and notification requirements.
• Claims timing provides a window for older cases to be filed once the law is enacted.

Notable conditions and limits

• The presumption that work-related causes apply can be challenged with competent medical evidence showing the exposure was not a substantial factor.
• Updates to the cancer list are subject to rulemaking and must rely on credible medical and scientific sources.
• The three-year review cycle for updates is a mandatory minimum.

Relevant Terms - exposure-related cancer - carcinogen - IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) - Group 1, Group 2A - public safety officer - killed in the line of duty - heart attack - stroke - vascular rupture - nonroutine stressful or strenuous activity - on duty - PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder) - suicide - DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) - NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) - National Toxicology Program (NTP) - National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NAS) - petition to add cancer - commissioner review and rulemaking - claims process - filing deadline