The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 7120, aims to enhance firefighter safety and health by addressing the provision of turnout gear, cancer screening, and the removal of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) from fire apparatus. The bill mandates that the Joint Council of Connecticut Fire Service Organizations, in collaboration with the Connecticut State Firefighters Association, develop a maintenance plan for toxic substances on turnout gear, which must be submitted to the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control by July 1, 2023. Additionally, municipalities are required to provide PFAS-free turnout gear to firefighters diagnosed with cancer or at increased risk of developing cancer due to family history or genetic testing results.

Furthermore, the bill establishes a one-year pilot program, effective from passage, to reimburse firefighters for cancer screenings, with the State Fire Marshal overseeing the program in both volunteer and paid fire departments. It also allocates $3 million to the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection for grants to municipalities and independent fire companies for the removal of PFAS from fire apparatus, including reimbursement for prior removals. The bill ensures that any unspent funds from these grants will carry over into the next fiscal year, thereby supporting ongoing efforts to mitigate PFAS exposure among firefighters.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 7-313o