State Board of Adjustment, provide death benefit to survivors of volunteer firefighters who die of cancer

HB 247 would extend the existing line-of-duty death benefit to survivors of volunteer firefighters who die from cancer, currently only available to paid firefighters. To qualify, the firefighter must have served at least six years, passed a pre-certification physical with no cancer, been active during symptom onset, and their department must document exposure to a known carcinogen during fire suppression. The bill presumes cancer arose from service if linked to a carcinogen (shifting the burden to the state to prove otherwise), aligning with Alabama’s existing death benefit framework under Title 36. This change directly affects volunteer firefighter families by creating a new eligibility path for compensation under current state law.