House Bill 247 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Phillip PettusRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

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

Summary

HB247 would extend Alabama's line-of-duty death benefit to survivors of active volunteer firefighters who die from work-related cancer, effective October 1, 2026.

What This Bill Does

It makes survivors or dependents of active volunteer firefighters who die from cancer eligible for the state’s line-of-duty death benefit, using the same framework as for paid first responders. To qualify, the firefighter must have at least six years of service, be an active volunteer, have undergone a pre-certification physical showing no cancer, and the department must keep records showing exposure to a known carcinogen. If exposure to a known carcinogen is reasonably linked to the cancer, the death is presumed to be in the line of duty unless the state proves otherwise by a preponderance of the evidence. The bill ties these benefits to the existing rules in Article 1, Chapter 30, Title 36 of the Alabama Code and sets October 1, 2026, as the effective date.

Who It Affects

• Survivors or dependents of active volunteer firefighters who die from work-related cancer and would be eligible for the line-of-duty death benefit.
• Active volunteer firefighters and their departments, who must meet new eligibility criteria (six years of service, active status, pre-employment health screening, and carcinogen exposure documentation) to qualify for the benefit.

Key Provisions

• Extends the line-of-duty death benefit to survivors of volunteer firefighters who die from cancer, under the existing benefit framework for first responders.
• Requires a pre-certification physical exam that found no evidence of cancer before initial certification as a volunteer firefighter.
• Requires at least six years of service before cancer diagnosis and active status at the time of symptom onset.
• Requires the department to maintain records showing exposure to a known carcinogen during firefighting activities.
• Creates a presumption that cancer arose in the line of duty if exposure to a known carcinogen is reasonably linked to the cancer, rebuttable by the state with a preponderance of the evidence.
• References the existing line-of-duty provisions in Article 1, Chapter 30, Title 36 of the Alabama Code and sets an effective date of October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 11, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Government Administration