HB360 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Phillip PettusRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Career firefighters, cancer benfits, supplemental insurance coverage provided under certain conditions, available to volunteer firefighters under certain conditions, payments and premiums exempt from state income tax

Summary

HB 360 would provide cancer-related supplemental insurance for career firefighters after 12 months of service and extend similar coverage to certain volunteer firefighters, with tax exemptions and local funding considerations.

What This Bill Does

It requires paid fire departments to provide and maintain cancer insurance for career firefighters diagnosed after 12 months of service, including lump-sum benefits and monthly disability benefits based on cancer severity. It makes the same coverage available to certified and non-certified volunteer firefighters under similar terms, with premiums aligned to the volunteer status. Premiums and payments under the program are exempt from state income tax, and local governments may fund premiums; the bill also outlines who pays if a firefighter works for multiple departments, how coverage continues if a firefighter leaves, and limits on total benefits.

Who It Affects

• Career firefighters and the departments that employ them: after 12 months of service, eligible for cancer insurance with specified lump-sum and disability benefits; coverage tied to the primary employer and may continue after leaving employment.
• Volunteer firefighters (certified and non-certified) and their departments: eligible for similar cancer coverage under defined premium and certification requirements; may purchase coverage if not provided by a department, with potential department or association contributions.

Key Provisions

• Defines key terms including the types of cancer covered, and who is a career firefighter, certified volunteer firefighter, non-certified volunteer firefighter, paid fire department, and volunteer fire department.
• Paid fire departments must provide insurance covering cancer diagnosed after 12 months of service, with lump-sum benefits of 25,000 or 6,250 depending on cancer type/severity and a lifetime cap of 50,000, plus a disability benefit of 3,000 per month for up to 36 months starting six months after disability.
• Disability benefits are reduced if the firefighter receives other benefits from any source, and coverage ends upon death or if the firefighter regains the ability to work; continuation or conversion to individual coverage is available after at least one year of active coverage.
• Volunteer firefighters (certified and non-certified) may receive the same coverage under similar terms; premiums for certified volunteers align with career premiums, while non-certified volunteers have reduced coverage; volunteers may purchase coverage privately if not provided by a department.
• Premiums are exempt from state income tax, and local governments may fund premiums; premiums must not be subject to premium taxes, and there may be local funding considerations requiring legislative or local approval.
• If a firefighter works for multiple departments, the primary employer provides the coverage; double benefits are not allowed, and benefits may be reevaluated or cease if the firefighter can return to work or dies; retirement or departure allows continued or converted individual coverage with equivalent premium costs.
• The Alabama Firefighters' Personnel Standards and Education Commission may adopt rules to implement the act.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Firefighters