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HR 705 119th Congress House Armed Forces and National Security Fires First responders and emergency personnel Hazardous wastes and toxic substances Military civil functions Military medicine Veterans' pensions and compensation

To direct the Secretary of Defense to establish a compensation fund for military firefighters exposed to PFAS.

Introduced: January 23, 2025 Introduced by: Strickland, Marilyn Democratic · Washington See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 23, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
Jan 23, 2025
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to establish the Military Firefighters Compensation Fund to provide compensation to current and former military firefighters, or survivors of such firefighters, for illnesses incurred in the line of duty due to exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS. PFAS are man-made and may have adverse human health effects.

Under the bill, current and former military firefighters are presumed to have been exposed to PFAS (in the absence of substantial evidence to the contrary) if the firefighter was employed at a military installation, facility of the National Guard, or formerly used defense site during a period when PFAS would have been present at such facility.

The bill provides that in cases where a military firefighter is deceased at the time of payment of compensation, the surviving spouse must receive the payment. If there is no surviving spouse, the bill provides for the order of distribution to other surviving parties (e.g., a child or parent of the firefighter). The bill also provides that a survivor of a firefighter may file a claim for compensation if the firefighter dies before filing a claim.

DOD must furnish the services, appliances, and supplies prescribed or recommended to a military firefighter who is receiving medical benefits for an illness related to PFAS exposure. Additionally, such firefighter may be furnished necessary and reasonable transportation and expenses incident to securing care for such illness.

What's happening now January 23, 2025

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1