SB 184: Firefighter Cancer Benefits & Workers' Compensation - Colorado

Rerevised → Final Act · 6 edits · May 21, 2026

MODERATE

This bill strengthens protections for firefighters by expanding the list of cancers covered under a legal presumption that these illnesses are work-related. It also prevents employers from denying claims simply because a firefighter did not have a prior medical exam. These changes ensure firefighters receive benefits faster and more reliably for serious health conditions caused by their duties.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of covered cancers from 19 specific types to include additional forms such as mesothelioma, bladder, colon, prostate, testicular, melanoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, lung, kidney, leukemia, multiple myeloma, esophageal, brain, digestive, genitourinary, skin, thyroid, breast, and reproductive cancers.

SCOPE

Added a specific definition for 'covered individual' to clarify eligibility requirements regarding years of service and current or recent status as a firefighter.

Updated the list of presumed occupational cancers to include specific types like mesothelioma, bladder, colon, prostate, testicular, melanoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, lung, kidney, leukemia, multiple myeloma, esophageal, brain, digestive, genitourinary, skin, thyroid, breast, and reproductive cancers.

DEFINITION

Explicitly defined 'firefighter' to include volunteers, seasonal wildland firefighters, and those serving under intergovernmental agreements.

REQUIREMENT

Mandated that employers cannot use the lack of a pre-employment medical exam as a reason to deny a claim for cancer benefits.

ENFORCEMENT

Clarified that evidence of tobacco use, genetic predisposition, family history, or lack of a pre-employment exam is insufficient to prove a cancer was not work-related.

TIMELINE

Specified the effective date as the day following the expiration of the 90-day period after the general assembly adjourns, with a potential delay if a referendum petition is filed.

Revised → Rerevised · 3 edits · May 12, 2026

MINOR

The bill was re-revised to include additional sponsors in the House, indicating broader bipartisan support. The definition of 'firefighter' was significantly expanded to include a new category of volunteers who provide services under an intergovernmental agreement, broadening the scope of who is protected or regulated under the bill.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include a new class of volunteer firefighters serving under intergovernmental agreements, in addition to existing volunteer and seasonal wildland firefighter definitions.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'firefighter' to include individuals providing volunteer services to a fire authority created by an intergovernmental agreement.

ELIGIBILITY

Extended eligibility or coverage to a broader range of volunteer firefighters under intergovernmental agreements.

TECHNICAL

Added new House sponsors to the bill, reflecting increased legislative support.

Reengrossed → Revised · 3 edits · May 11, 2026

MINOR

The bill was revised to rename the legislation from the 'Firefighter Presumptive Cancer and Occupational Disease Protection Act' to the 'Ruben Lewis Sims Jr. Act' and significantly altered the list of covered conditions. The new version removes specific references to neurological diseases like Parkinson's and broadens the cancer definitions to include general categories like 'digestive cancer' and 'reproductive cancer' rather than listing every specific organ. Additionally, the definition of a covered individual was updated to clarify eligibility based on years of service and separation timelines.

Scope change

The scope of covered conditions shifted from a specific list including neurological disorders to a broader list of cancers, while the definition of eligible firefighters was refined to include specific service duration requirements.

DEFINITION

The short title of the act was changed from 'Firefighter Presumptive Cancer and Occupational Disease Protection Act' to 'Ruben Lewis Sims Jr. Act'.

SCOPE

The list of presumptively covered conditions was rewritten; specific neurological diseases like Parkinson's were removed, and cancer types were grouped into broader categories such as 'digestive cancer' and 'reproductive cancer'.

ELIGIBILITY

The definition of a 'covered individual' was updated to explicitly require at least five years of cumulative employment and clarify the timeline for separation or retirement relative to the claim.

Engrossed → Reengrossed · 3 edits · May 7, 2026

MINOR

The bill text was reengrossed to reflect additional co-sponsors in the Senate and updated formatting for the bill summary date. A significant portion of the text defining 'Covered Individual' for myeloma benefits was removed, likely to be replaced by new language in the reengrossed version not shown in this specific diff.

Scope change

The scope of the bill regarding myeloma benefits appears to have been altered by the removal of the specific definition for 'Covered Individual' (firefighters with five years of service).

TECHNICAL

Added five new Senate co-sponsors: Benavidez, Coleman, Danielson, Exum, and Gonzales J.

Updated the bill summary date to May 7, 2026, and changed the status label from 'Engrossed' to 'Reengrossed'.

DEFINITION

Removed the existing definition of 'Covered Individual' for myeloma benefits, which previously required a firefighter to have at least five years of cumulative employment or volunteer service.

Introduced → Engrossed · 3 edits · May 6, 2026

MINOR

The bill was amended to add a new Senate sponsor and a House sponsor, indicating a shift in legislative support. A significant amendment was added to the bill text requiring the presumption of occupational cancer causation for firefighters to be rebutted by medical evidence, rather than by other means. Additionally, the bill's page numbering was updated to reflect its status as an engrossed version with all amendments adopted.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on firefighter occupational disease presumptions, but the amendment clarifies the evidentiary standard required to challenge these presumptions.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a new Senate sponsor (Ball) and House sponsor (Carter and Mabrey) to the bill, expanding the coalition of supporters.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that the presumption of occupational cancer causation for firefighters must be rebutted by showing, by a preponderance of medical evidence, that the cancer did not occur on the job.

TECHNICAL

Updated the document title from 'Introduced' to 'Engrossed' and adjusted page numbering to reflect the inclusion of all amendments.

Firefighter Cancer Benefits & Workers' Compensation

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