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HARTFORD, CT - Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he has signed into law legislation making several updates to the Connecticut Firefighters Cancer Relief Program, including adding skin cancer to the types of cancer covered under the program, and modifying the language governing its eligibility to make it clear that all firefighters statewide have access to the program, regardless of whether they work for a state or municipal fire department.
The legislation is Senate Bill 1426, An Act Making Changes to the Firefighters Cancer Relief Program.
“This program was created with the understanding that firefighters have high-risk jobs and are exposed to toxins that can wreak havoc on their health and put them at risk for cancer,” Governor Lamont said. “Expanding its coverage and making it clear that all firefighters in Connecticut are eligible is the right thing to do. I appreciate lawmakers on both sides of the aisle for crafting this legislation, voting in favor of it, and sending it to my desk. I am glad to sign it into law.”
The program, which was recently created, provides workers’ compensation-like benefits to firefighters who have certain cancers and meet other criteria.
According to the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, skin cancer is one of the top ten cancers that firefighters develop. Other types of cancer already covered by the program include those affecting the brain or the skeletal, digestive, endocrine, respiratory, lymphatic, reproductive, urinary, or hematological systems.
Last month, Governor Lamont and Comptroller Sean Scanlon announced that they’ve made an administrative change to the state employee health plan and Partnership Plan that will provide firefighters with free, enhanced cancer screenings every two years. These comprehensive, full-body screenings are designed to detect cancers early – often before symptoms appear – when treatment is more effective, and outcomes are significantly better. That benefit went into effect on May 1, 2025.