SESSION WATCH
Became law SENATE · SESSION 2026 · CHAPTER 2026-99

No. CS/CS/SB 984

Firefighter Cancer Benefits
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SPONSOR
Appropriations; Governmental Oversight and Accountability; DiCeglie
FILED BY
Nick DiCeglie — District 18, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026

Filed under Local Government.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Firefighter Cancer Benefits; Requiring a former employer to provide death benefits to certain beneficiaries for a specified time period under certain circumstances, etc.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Former employers must pay death benefits for a year after a firefighter quits.

Former employers must provide death benefits for one year after a firefighter leaves their job.

This applies if the firefighter met the cancer criteria when they quit and did not become a firefighter elsewhere.

The requirement ensures benefits continue during the transition period after employment ends.

The law takes effect on July 1, 2026, creating a new mandatory duty for former employers.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Former Employer Death Benefit Obligation majors. 112.1816(4)(c)

AICreates a mandatory duty for former employers to pay death benefits to beneficiaries of firefighters who die from cancer treatment after leaving the force.

“Such death benefits must be made available by the former employer of the firefighter for 1 year after the date on which the firefighter terminated employment” bill text, line 20 →
§ 2 Eligibility Criteria for Former Firefighters moderates. 112.1816(4)(c)

AILimits the new benefit obligation to firefighters who met all statutory criteria at the time of termination and were not employed as a firefighter afterward.

“so long as the firefighter otherwise met the criteria specified in this subsection when he or she terminated employment and was not employed as a firefighter after that date” bill text, line 23 →
§ 3 Legislative Declaration of State Interest moderates. 2

AIAdds a formal legislative finding that the act fulfills an important state interest, which may be used to defend the law against constitutional challenges.

“The Legislature finds and declares that this act fulfills an important state interest” bill text, line 27 →
TIMELINE
5/26/2026
Chapter No. 2026-99
5/22/2026
Approved by Governor
5/21/2026
Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
3/11/2026
Ordered engrossed, then enrolled
3/11/2026
CS passed as amended; YEAS 37 NAYS 0 -SJ 820
3/11/2026
Concurred in 1 amendment(s) (761459) -SJ 820
3/9/2026
In returning messages
3/9/2026
CS passed as amended; YEAS 109, NAYS 0
3/9/2026
Read 3rd time
3/9/2026
Added to Third Reading Calendar
3/9/2026
Amendment 761459 adopted
3/9/2026
Read 2nd time
3/5/2026
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)
3/5/2026
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/9/2026)
3/5/2026
Bill referred to House Calendar
2/26/2026
In Messages
2/26/2026
Immediately certified -SJ 463
2/26/2026
CS passed; YEAS 37 NAYS 0 -SJ 455
2/26/2026
Read 3rd time -SJ 455
2/26/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 455
2/24/2026
CS/CS by Appropriations read 1st time
2/23/2026
Placed on Special Order Calendar, 02/26/26
2/20/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
2/20/2026
Pending reference review -under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
2/18/2026
CS/CS by- Appropriations; YEAS 18 NAYS 0
2/18/2026
CS by Governmental Oversight and Accountability read 1st time
2/13/2026
On Committee agenda-- Appropriations, 02/18/26, 1:30 pm, 412 Knott Building
2/12/2026
Now in Appropriations
2/12/2026
Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
2/11/2026
CS by Governmental Oversight and Accountability; YEAS 9 NAYS 0
2/6/2026
On Committee agenda-- Governmental Oversight and Accountability,...
1/28/2026
Now in Governmental Oversight and Accountability
1/27/2026
Favorable by Community Affairs; YEAS 8 NAYS 0
1/22/2026
On Committee agenda-- Community Affairs, 01/27/26, 3:30 pm, 37...
1/13/2026
Introduced
1/7/2026
Referred to Community Affairs; Governmental Oversight and...
12/19/2025
Filed
31 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 112.1816
+55 / −0
STAFF ANALYSES
3 MORE →