Substitute Senate Bill No. 1426, also known as Public Act No. 25-4, amends the Firefighters Cancer Relief Program to provide enhanced benefits for firefighters diagnosed with specific cancers. The bill introduces new definitions, such as "state employer" and "administrative law judge," while repealing outdated language. It expands the list of covered cancers to include those affecting the skin, brain, skeletal, digestive, endocrine, respiratory, lymphatic, reproductive, urinary, and hematological systems. Firefighters meeting certain criteria, including having no prior evidence of cancer and not using cigarettes in the fifteen years before diagnosis, will receive compensation and benefits equivalent to workers' compensation laws. The bill also outlines the application process for benefits and specifies that if the firefighters cancer relief account becomes insolvent, employers are not required to continue benefits.

Additionally, the bill enhances the powers and responsibilities of administrative law judges concerning claims under the specified chapter and section 7-313p. It grants these judges the authority to summon witnesses, direct document production, and certify official acts, aligning their powers with those of magistrates. All claims must be filed in the district where they arise, with provisions for cases involving multiple districts or disqualified judges. The Superior Court is empowered to enforce orders related to the chapter, and former administrative law judges can settle appealed cases even after leaving office. These amendments aim to streamline the administrative process and improve the efficiency of the Workers' Compensation Commission's operations.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 7-313p, 31-278
LAB Joint Favorable: 7-313p, 31-278
File No. 176: 7-313p, 31-278
Public Act No. 25-4: 7-313p, 31-278