This bill mandates that public employers provide access to periodic cancer screening examinations for professional firefighters who are not enrolled in the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) but are eligible for it due to their public employment. The bill amends existing law to require that these examinations occur every three years, starting three years after the firefighter's employment begins. The screenings must include tests for various types of cancer, and public employers that do not participate in the SHBP will be eligible for payment from the State to cover the costs of these examinations, capped at $1,250 per firefighter every three years.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that public employers participating in the SHBP must also provide coverage for cancer screening examinations for employees who are eligible for other health care coverage but choose to waive their SHBP coverage. This ensures that all eligible firefighters, regardless of their health care coverage status, have access to necessary cancer screenings. The bill also eliminates any co-payments or out-of-pocket expenses for these examinations, and mandates that public employers maintain adequate records to facilitate reimbursement from the State.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 52:14-17.29