Florida governor signs firefighter cancer bill into law

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed into law a bill that will offer benefits to firefighters upon the diagnosis of 21 difference cancers.

S.B. 426, which unanimously passed the state’s House and Senate in late April, will offer full-time firefighters who have served at least five years and don’t use tobacco with a one-time cash payout of $25,000 upon the diagnosis of certain cancers, as well as treatment through a group health fund and continued health benefits for 10 years after the termination of employment as an alternative to workers compensation.

The legislation also increases line of duty death benefits. The law will take effect July 1, 2019.