AlabamaSurvivors could seek cancer death benefits for volunteer firefighters
Starting October 1, 2026, beneficiaries or dependents could seek Alabama’s existing line-of-duty death benefit when an eligible volunteer firefighter dies of listed cancer.
What it does
Starting October 1, 2026, beneficiaries or dependents could seek the existing line-of-duty death benefit when an eligible volunteer firefighter dies of a listed cancer, if required service and exposure facts are shown.
Argument forA qualifying exposure presumption could make it easier for survivors to connect a firefighter’s cancer death to volunteer service.
Argument againstThe physical-exam, six-year service, active-duty, and exposure-record requirements may prevent some survivors from qualifying for a claim.
More detail
Beneficiaries or dependents may seek the existing line-of-duty death benefit when an eligible volunteer firefighter dies of a listed cancer. The firefighter must be certified as a volunteer firefighter and must have been active in a qualifying Alabama volunteer or combination department when symptoms leading to the cancer diagnosis began. The firefighter must have passed an initial certification physical that showed no cancer evidence. The firefighter must have served at least six years before the cancer diagnosis. The department must have records showing that firefighting exposed the firefighter to a known cancer-causing substance. If that substance is reasonably linked to the cancer, the cancer is presumed related to volunteer service unless the state proves another cause by more than half the evidence. The act takes effect October 1, 2026, and the claim rules apply to claims made under the specified death-benefit law after that date.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 17EnactedBecame Law
- Apr 9Ready to Enroll
- Apr 9EnrolledTo Governor
- Apr 9Signature Requested
- Apr 9Delivered to GovernorMinor
- Apr 8Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1278Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1278. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 19Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Finance and Taxation General Fund)Minor
- Mar 18Reported Out of Committee Second House
- Feb 25Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance and Taxation General FundMinor
- Feb 25Pending Committee Action in Second House (Finance and Taxation General Fund)
- Feb 24Third Reading in House of Origin
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 548. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Third Reading in House of Origin. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 24Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 548Passed House
- Feb 5Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Ways and Means General Fund)Minor
- Feb 4Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
- Jan 14Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means General FundMinor
- Jan 14Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Ways and Means General Fund)Introduced
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