The bill amends Section 1 of P.L.2021, c.478 (C.52:14-17.29ii) to mandate that full-time firefighters in New Jersey receive cancer screening examinations every three years, starting three years after their employment. The screenings must be conducted by a physician and cover a range of cancers, including colon, lung, bladder, oral, thyroid, skin, blood, breast, cervical, testicular, and prostate cancers. The bill also stipulates that these screenings are to be provided as part of the State Health Benefits Program and establishes that employment as a full-time firefighter is considered a pre-existing condition for the purposes of health coverage.

Additionally, the bill requires public employers that do not participate in the State Health Benefits Program to provide similar cancer screening coverage for their employees, with the State reimbursing them up to $1,250 per firefighter every three years for the cost of these examinations. Furthermore, public employers participating in the State Health Benefits Program must also provide coverage for employees who waive their entitlement to this program. Importantly, no co-payments or out-of-pocket expenses will be required for these examinations, and public employers must maintain adequate records for reimbursement purposes. The act is set to take effect immediately upon approval.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 52:14-17.29
Advance Law: 52:14-17.29
Pamphlet Law: 52:14-17.29