To direct the Secretary of Defense to establish a compensation fund for military firefighters exposed to PFAS.

Summary

This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to establish the Military Firefighters Compensation Fund to provide compensation to current and former military firefighters, or survivors of such firefighters, for illnesses incurred in the line of duty due to exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS. PFAS are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. Under the bill, current and former military firefighters are presumed to have been exposed to PFAS (in the absence of substantial evidence to the contrary) if the firefighter was employed at a military installation, facility of the National Guard, or formerly used defense site during a period when PFAS would have been present at such facility. The bill provides that in cases where a military firefighter is deceased at the time of payment of compensation, the surviving spouse must receive the payment. If there is no surviving spouse, the bill provides for the order of distribution to other surviving parties (e.g., a child or parent of the firefighter). The bill also provides that a survivor of a firefighter may file a claim for compensation if the firefighter dies before filing a claim. DOD must furnish the services, appliances, and supplies prescribed or recommended to a military firefighter who is receiving medical benefits for an illness related to PFAS exposure. Additionally, such firefighter may be furnished necessary and reasonable transportation and expenses incident to securing care for such illness.

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Timeline

1. 23 January 2025

   Introduced

   Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 23 January 2025

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 23 January 2025

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

Votes

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Versions

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Documents

2 official files

• Introduced in House

  Introduced in House · EN · 23 January 2025

  DownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 23 January 2025

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Marilyn Strickland · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2] · D · Cosponsor
• · hsas00 · Standing

Related records

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