TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The May deadline for a bill that would give protection and financial coverage to firefighters who are diagnosed with certain types of cancers.
The bill has a May 3 deadline but isn't moving in the Florida House, despite having more than 60 bipartisan co-sponsors.
Speaker of the House, Jose Oliva, sent a statement on the bill.
"The Florida House has overwhelmingly supported tax breaks for surviving spouses of first responders who died in the line of duty, as well as property tax exemptions for totally and permanently disabled first responders and surviving spouses. We take a backseat to no one in our appreciation for our firefighters and police. However, this is an issue best dealt with at the county level as each department faces varying levels of danger and exposure and counties are best equipped to tailor benefits to need within available resources."
Florida's Chief Financial Officer, Jimmy Patronis, has been working hard to bring firefighter cancer prevention into the spotlight.
After Patronis was told the bill might not be heard he said he was hopeful it might have a better chance in the next legislative session.
Patronis said the biggest "constructive critics" of the policy are cities and counties.
"The legislature has to look at the full fiscal impact, this bill does have a fiscal impact to it that has to be under consideration because ultimately if those cities and counties haven't budgeted for it they're going to have to cut somewhere or potentially raise millage in order to cover it,” Patronis said.
Co-sponsor of HB 857, Jackie Toledo, released a statement to 10News.
"I believe those who we entrust with our lives and our families lives each day, and then are dealt this unfortunate hand, deserve the benefits associated in the bill. As legislators, we must uphold our responsibility to ensure our Firefighters and their families have the resources readily available to ensure their safety and longevity."
Florida's Commissioner of Agriculture said she's proud to support the bill.
"I'm proud to support the Florida Firefighter Cancer Bill. Our firefighters rush towards danger and save lives and property every day. They deserve our support when their health is on the line. I'm thankful for the Florida House and Senate taking action, and for all our firefighters, including our 665 Florida Forest Service wildland firefighters.”
Representative Margaret Good also weighed in on the bill.
”Florida should support our courageous firefighters by expanding workers' compensation benefits to diagnoses of certain cancers. These women and men risk their health by running into the noxious gases of a fire when everyone else is running in the other direction. We should recognize that a cancer diagnosis may be the result of their years of public service and provide appropriate benefits.”
Representative Ben Diamond sent 10News the following response:
“I am proud to cosponsor House Bill 857 along with seventy-nine other members of the Florida House of Representatives. HB 857 would provide benefits to firefighters who are diagnosed with certain types of cancer. I urge leadership in the Florida House to hear this important legislation, and support the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe.”
This is the fourth time a bill like this one has been introduced and gone nowhere.
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