Bill would presume first responder cancers are job-related for benefits
Placed on the calendarS. 237Latest action
Sponsor: Amy Klobuchar · Senator · MN
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2025
119th Congress
Topics: Crime & justice
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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S 237 would presume about 20 job-related cancers in public safety officers are work-caused for federal benefit claims.
50-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
S 237 creates a list of roughly 20 "exposure-related cancers" and presumes these were caused by job exposure to harmful substances for public safety officers seeking federal death and disability benefits. The presumption applies if the officer served at least 5 years, was diagnosed within 15 years of leaving the job, and the cancer caused death or permanent disability. Officials could still deny claims with contrary medical evidence, and a process would let the cancer list be updated over time, including through public petitions.
Who does it affect?
The bill affects police officers, firefighters, and similar public safety officers, plus their families, who apply through the federal Public Safety Officers' Benefits program.
Why does it matter?
The change shifts the burden of proof in benefit claims from officers and families to the government, which must now show job exposure wasn't a factor to deny a claim. It also allows retroactive claims for deaths or disabilities back to January 1, 2020, within a three-year filing window after enactment.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedJan 23, 2025
- Senate committee
- Senate voteYou are here · May 20, 2025
- House
- The president's desk
Right now: it was placed on the , and the official record shows no floor action on it since. If the House changes it, it goes back to the Senate before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 78.