BILL NUMBER: S8340

SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the volunteer firefighters' benefit law, in relation to
coverage for cancer screenings

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

Relates to coverage for cancer screenings for volunteer firefighters

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends the volunteer firefighters' law by adding a new para-
graph (q). Section 2 establishes the effective date

 
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):

 
JUSTIFICATION:
              

The volunteer fire service ranks over the past ten years have decreased.
The need to provide our communities with healthy firefighters to answer
the call is what New York State should be doing to retain a healthy
volunteer force within our communities.  Since 2015, cancer has been
considered an epidemic by the fire service. Most recent statistics have
shown that an increase in firefighters having cancer is on the rise.
Volunteer firefighters deal with increasing dangers that encompass more
than just knocking down deadly flames. These dangers also include
significant risks to mental and physical health including occupational
cancer.  Occupational cancer is a danger that not only affects the fire-
fighter, but it also extends to their family, community and department
they serve. This legislation will work to ensure the safety of our fire-
fighters by providing cancer screenings upon entry to the force, and
annually .thereafter.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

Fiscal implication to the state under article 2 of the Volunteer Fire-
fighters Benefit Law

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.