HB35 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Russell BedsoleRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

State Board of Adjustment, provide death benefit to survivors of volunteer firefighters who die of cancer.

Summary

HB35 would extend the state line-of-duty death benefit to survivors of volunteer firefighters who die from work-related cancer, effective October 1, 2025.

What This Bill Does

It makes survivors of an active Alabama volunteer firefighter eligible for the line-of-duty death benefit if the firefighter dies from cancer that is work-related. It sets eligibility rules, including at least six years of service, a pre-certification physical showing no cancer, active volunteer status, and a department record showing exposure to a known carcinogen. It creates a presumption that cancer linked to known occupational carcinogens arose from the firefighter’s volunteer service, unless proven otherwise by the state. It uses the same claim process and governing framework as other line-of-duty death benefits via the State Board of Adjustment.

Who It Affects

• Active volunteer firefighters in Alabama who meet the eligibility criteria and die from work-related cancer (benefits payable to their survivors or dependents).
• Beneficiaries or dependents of those volunteer firefighters who die from work-related cancer (receive the death benefit).

Key Provisions

• Extends the line-of-duty death benefit to the survivors of active volunteer firefighters who die from cancer, under the same program used for paid first responders.
• Defines cancer to include a broad list of cancers (e.g., bladder, breast, brain, cervical, lung, leukemia, lymphomas, etc.) and defines who qualifies as a volunteer firefighter.
• Requires eligibility conditions: at least six years of service, a pre-certification physical showing no evidence of cancer, active volunteer status, and the department maintains a record showing exposure to a known carcinogen.
• Provides a presumption that cancer linked to known carcinogen exposure arose in the line of duty unless the state proves otherwise by a preponderance of evidence.
• States that any conflict with existing line-of-duty provisions will be resolved in favor of this section, aligning the benefits accordingly.
• Effective date: October 1, 2025; claims follow the existing processes of the State Board of Adjustment.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Government Administration