First Responder Employer Health Benefit Trusts

The bill makes 2 principal changes to current firefighter benefit programs. First, the bill expands state funding for the firefighter heart and circulatory malfunction benefits program to include paid part-time and volunteer firefighters. Second, the bill provides state funding for the firefighter cancer benefits program for eligible firefighters.

Current law requires an employer to provide access to specified heart and circulatory malfunction benefits to eligible, full-time firefighters and the employer is reimbursed by the state for providing the full-time firefighter benefits. Current law also specifies that if funding to reimburse the employer is insufficient, then the requirement to provide the specified cardiac benefits is optional. The bill requires employers to provide access to certain heart and circulatory malfunction benefits to part-time and volunteer firefighters. This requirement likewise becomes voluntary if funding is insufficient.

Current law authorizes employers to voluntarily participate in a cancer trust for firefighter benefits. The bill requires an employer of an eligible firefighter to participate, but specifies that if funding to reimburse the employer is insufficient, participation in the trust becomes optional.

The bill also requires an employer to participate in a funded trust to provide cardiovascular screenings, at a minimum, and other health screenings and prevention, as practicable, to peace officers. The trust is reimbursed by the state for providing the benefits, and if funding to reimburse the trust is insufficient, then the requirement for employers to provide the specified program is optional.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)