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 begins. 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. Additionally, the bill stipulates that public employers not participating in the State Health Benefits Program must provide similar health care benefits for their employees, with the state reimbursing them up to $1,250 per firefighter every three years for these examinations.

Furthermore, the bill ensures that public employers participating in the State Health Benefits Program must also provide coverage for cancer screenings for employees who waive their entitlement to this program. Importantly, no co-payments, deductibles, or out-of-pocket expenses will be required for these examinations. The bill also establishes that employment as a full-time firefighter is considered a pre-existing condition for the purposes of health coverage. An appropriation from the State General Fund will be included in each annual budget to support the implementation of this legislation.

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